Pick any solar module or group of modules and connect the power output to any water heating element.
Connect solar panel directly to electric water heater.
How to convert an electric water heater to solar.
Determine if your water heater has a second spout on the top or not.
I just completed connecting solar panels directly to my water heater and the results are encouraging.
Making sure plenty of panels are available to cover the burst of energy needed to heat water at a rate of over three kilowatts is required.
Then i got to thinking that maybe i could try running these old panels of mine directly into an electric hot water heater and when it s sunny maybe i ll be able to slowly heat up my water enough for a warm shower at the end of the day.
Connecting solar panels to hot water heater.
At best it will run at 250 300 83 full power.
What you can do.
If you have a gas water heater you ll need to add a second tank to store the solar heated water and purchase a hook up kit from fafco.
A solar panel owner should monitor their use of electricity linked to their hot water system to ensure enough power is produced to cover that used by the heating element.
If it does not you.
Don t expect a remarkable performance.
Use the pv panel to charge a battery and feed the water heater thru that battery which will provide a constant output.
Even then the power will oscillate a lot.
Pv solar electricity tied directly to a dc water heater.
Connect a solar array directly to a hot water element making sure you match the maximum power point voltage with.
In order to set up an effective open loop direct heating system you need two tanks.
The kit includes everything you need to connect the solar panels to your existing electric water heater on a single story house you may need extra tubing for two story homes.
Install the solar water heater on your roof or other space with good sun.
One through which the water can circulate and your electric or gas water heater from where you draw hot water.
Connect a solar array to a maximum power point.
There are dc heater elements available for use in electric water heaters.
I got the panels very cheaply about 28 watt including shipping so my total cost is less than 800 including control circuit etc.
I am using 8 renesola 300 watt 72 cell panels in 2 strings four panels in each string.