solar water heating in spain

first find a suitable position, facing the sun at mid day is good, vacuum tube units come in kit form so it is not to hard to get the bits up to where you need them, first assemble the frame and fit it down, if fitting to a flat roof or terrace it is best to mount the unit on four patio slabs to aviod causing any leaks in the roof deck. then fit the tank ( 4 bolts ) next fit the tubes, it is very important to pre fill the tubes with water in the shade before fitting them because filling a hot tube with cold water can cause it to shatter !  smear some olive oil on the end of the tubes and on the tank seals and insert with a twisting action.

run pipe work from existing boiler up to the solar water heater feed the cold in and return the hot back, if you have an electrical cylinder a good way to install is to pre heat, so feed the hot return from the solar water heater into the cold inlet of the cylinder,

Now the electrical cylinder will be fed with pre heater hot water from the swh so it will make the system automatic as it will only cut in when required ie in poor weather or if no water has been drawn for a long period of time.

It is possible to use the solar hot water direct but it is advisable to leave your existing boiler for back up , a simple change over system can be made using two valves

Fitting is not to complicated and self fitting will save a lot of money and reduce the pay back time!!

Solar water heating  works well here in Spain and will reduce bills!!