Evacuated Tube Technology

The system consists of a bank of glass tubes which form the solar collectors. The number of tubes required will be dependant on water usage.

Within each tube, heat from the sun is collected by aluminium vanes which surround a copper rod in the centre of the tube (as shown in diagram). The rod and vanes are encapsulated in two glass tubes which have a vacuum between them. The vacuum is to minimise heat loss from the central copper rod.

Each tube has the copper rod extending from one of the sealed ends. This part of the copper rod and external glass tube fit into a collector manifold. Domestic water is passed over the copper extensions in the manifold, it becomes heated and is returned to storage.

The manifold and tubes fit in to a strong lightweight frame and the whole unit is attached on a pitched roof.