181SP Roof Top Solar: Key Attributes
Most suitable for areas that receive medium to high levels of solar radiation, and is suitable for frost prone or harsh water chemistry areas.
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Solahart Closed Circuit Systems are protected against freezing or harsh water conditions by our exclusive ‘Hartgard’ fluid. ‘Hartgard’ is used to lower the freezing temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid and so provides protection against freezing.
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Roof-mounted, closed-circuit systems with the revolutionary Envelope solar collector, offer the very latest in styling and all-weather durability.
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Key Features
The SP series features the Australian designed Envelope solar collector, offering the latest in styling and all weather durability, and with five patents pending has been designed to meet or exceed Australian and International Standards in areas of strength and durability.
The SP Series features Solahart's revolutionary multi-flow collector to extract the maximum amount of energy from the sun. This is used to heat the Hartgard fluid in the collector which rises into the heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the water inside of the tank. The ceramic lined tank has a protective anode and the SP Free Heat series features additional protection.
- Space saving roof mount design
- Reliable, low maintenance operation
- Can cut water heating energy use by up to 55%^
- Eligible for Government rebates and incentives
* The suggested price is comprised of RRP less the applicable solar incentive and excluding installation. Solar incentive value applies to 181SP system in Zone 3.
^ Energy savings of up to 55% shown are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling of a Solahart 181SP and using a small load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing an electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of Solahart system installed, orientation and inclination of the solar collectors, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff.
† Solahart Warranty Details: 5/5/5 warranty; 5 year cylinder and collectors supply, 5 year parts, 5 year labour.
| Thermosiphon SP Closed Circuit Systems | |
|---|---|
| System Model | 181SP |
| Tank Model | SP - 180J |
| Storage Capacity | 180 litres |
| Boost Capacity | 90 litres |
| Weight Empty Tank Only | 69 kg |
| Weight Full Tank Only | 249 kg |
| A-Width* Tank Only | 1.62 m |
| Weight Empty System | 117 kg |
| Weight Full System | 310 kg |
| A-Width* System | 1.62 m |
* For safe access and servicing, a space equal to the tank length should be left on the water connection end of the system and 1m (40in) should be left on the three other sides of the installation. ‡HartStat OTP is optional on these models. Systems can be installed as a solar preheater with an inline Solahart gas booster water heater. Refer to the Solahart gas booster specification sheet for further details on the gas booster.
| Collectors SPA2000 | |
|---|---|
| Aperture area | 1.8 m2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 1996 mm |
| Width | 1043 mm |
| Height | 82 mm |
| Capacity | 4 litres |
| Weight Empty | 45 kg |
| Weight Full | 49 kg |
| Working Pressure | |
| no OTP | 80 kPa |
| with OTP | 170 kPa |
| Absorber Surface SPA2000 | Black polyester powder coat |
| Absorber/Riser Material | steel |
| Number of Risers | 35 |
| Frame Material | extruded aluminium |
| Insulation Material (Base) | 38 mm polyester blanket |
| Glass | 3.2 mm tempered low iron |
| Water Supply | |
|---|---|
| TPR Valve Setting | 1000 kPa |
| ECV* Setting | 850 kPa |
| Maximum Supply Pressure | |
| With ECV | 680 kPa |
| Without ECV | 800 kPa |
| Water Connections | |
| Cold | Rp 3/4 |
| Hot | R 1/2 |
*Expansion Control Valve.
| Electric Boost Specifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating Unit Type | Copper sheath immersion element | |||
| Supply Voltage | 220 V - 250 V | |||
| Recovery Rate @ 240 V and Temperature Rise of: | ||||
| Rating kW |
Current Amps |
30°C litres/hour |
40°C litres/hour |
50°C litres/hour |
| 1.8 | 8 | 51 | 39 | 31 |
| 2.4 | 10 | 68 | 52 | 41 |
| 3.6 | 15 | 103 | 77 | 62 |
| 4.8 | 20 | 137 | 103 | 83 |
How Roof Top Solar Systems Work
Solar Operation
The 181SP solar system has its vitreous enamel lined solar storage tank installed on the roof directly coupled to the solar collectors. In the Closed Circuit Series, heat is absorbed by the collector and passed to the ‘Hartgard’ heat transfer liquid inside the collector. As the temperature of the ‘Hartgard’ increases, the hot fluid rises up through the collector by the Natural Thermosiphon Principle, into the heat exchanger jacket around the potable water storage tank. Here, the heat is transferred to the potable water, cooling the ‘Hartgard’ fluid. The cooler fluid is then forced back down into the collectors through the displacement action of further hot fluid rising up into the heat exchanger jacket.
Orientation of Solar Collectors
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum orientation facing true north (in the southern hemisphere) or true south (in the northern hemisphere). Always check for true north or true south using a compass or other suitable device.
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum inclination. This is equal to 90% to 100% of the local latitude angle when collectors are oriented within 60° of true north or true south, and between 10° and 20° if the collectors are oriented between 60° and 90° from the optimum orientation. Generally, improved summer performance is obtained from an angle of inclination less than the optimum angle and improved winter performance is obtained by an angle of inclination greater than the optimum angle. If the angle of inclination varies by 20° from the optimum angle, the solar collectors will receive about 10% less total annual solar radiation.
Frost/Freeze Protection
Solahart Closed Circuit Systems are protected against freezing or harsh water conditions by our exclusive ‘Hartgard’ fluid. ‘Hartgard’ is a blue, non-toxic, propylene glycol fluid which, when mixed with water, provides the Heat Transfer Fluid contained in the solar collectors and the heat exchanger jacket around the tank. ‘Hartgard’ is used to lower the freezing temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid and so provides protection against freezing (Note: for the correct % of Hartgard in the Heat Transfer Fluid, refer to the section on Frost / Freeze Protection). ‘Hartgard’ is a special food grade solution and is the only solution permitted to be used in the closed circuit systems. Hartgard has been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
In-Series Gas Boosting
An in-series gas booster (also known as a continuous flow gas booster) can be installed between the solar water heater and the hot outlets in the house. This booster should be permanently active. The booster senses the temperature of the water passing through it: if the water temperature is above its temperature setting it does nothing; if below it will automatically heat the water up to the preset outlet temperature setting. This gas booster ensures hot water delivery for a variety of hot water demands without the need for user intervention while enabling maximum solar energy contribution to the water heating. For more information on this booster, consult the owner’s manual for the product.
Brochures
Why Solahart Solar Hot Water Systems: Download
Solahart 181SP Solar Hot Water System Brochure: Download
Solahart In-Line Gas Booster Brochure: Download
Installation Manuals
Solahart On-Roof Solar Hot Water System Owner's Guide and Installation Manual: Download
Solahart In-line Gas Booster Owner's Guide and Installation Manual: Download
Solar Incentive Forms
Small-scale Technology Certificate Assignment Form: Download
