SunMaxx Solar LLC
Page 15 of 39
b. Insert the vacuum tubes into the water tank slowly, while turning the tube.
5.5 Solar water heater installation and attention
Thisstep requires you to locate your hot water heater. The collector should face
approximately south (plus or minus 20°). Use a declination value from a map or
declination table to determine the direction of true South from the compass reading.
The collector should be tilted at the latitude angle plus 15° for best winter operation and
latitude minus 15
o
for best summer performance. Tilt at latitude for best year-round
performance.
A good GPS will also provide accurate compass headings and your exact latitude. If
you do not have a compass or GPS, wait until solar noon and the shadow of a vertical
stick or surface will point due North. True South is 180° from true North. HINT: MANY
SOLAR SYSTEMS ARE PLACED AT THE ROOF SLOPE WHICH IS LESS THAN
LATITUDE MINUS 15o, BUT IS MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING, WITH
ONLY A SMALL 10% PENALTY IN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE.
The latitude of your location can be found on the Internet or in your local paper. The
latitudes of some selected U.S. cities are presented in Table 5-1 for reference. (HINT:
Look at other solar collectors in your area, see how they are oriented to South and
elevated for latitude). The report includes a solar sitting template to show the effects of
shadowing from trees or nearby buildings, declination map and other useful information
about system sitting.
Table 5-1 Approximate Latitudes of Selected U.S. Cities
City (arranged by increasing latitude)
Latitude (all North)
Anchorage, AK
62°
Juneau, AK
58°
