Apricus Evacuated Tubes and Flat Panel Solar Collector Comparison
Tubes or flat panels, which is better? There are a number of comparisons that should be looked at when comparing Evacuated Tubes ET and the traditional Flat Panel solar collectors.
- Evacuated Tubes (ET) work in all seasons and are more efficient in extreme temperatures.
- An Apricus solar collector is not solely dependent on direct sunlight, and works in all weather conditions where there is direct or diffused sunlight.
- Easy installation and assembly! Installing an Apricus system is a one man job, and NO cranes are required, resulting in lower labour costs.
- Greater range of commercial and domestic applications: spas/hot-tubs, under-floor heating and heating support, solar cooling, hot water.
- ET provide better overall solar contribution in Autumn, Winter & Spring, resulting in a greater energy saving.
- Easy to maintain! In the event of a damaged tube(s) simply remove and replace. Low cost, no fuss.
- Lower requirements on roof and fixing system for wind loads. FP collectors lift with the wind, Apricus ET solar collectors have a gap between the tubes which greatly reduces wind load.
- As hot water temperature demand increases ET outperforms FP.
- FP has convection, conduction & radiation losses – ET has only minimal radiation loss and almost zero convective heat loss, resulting in superior performance in cold weather and at higher output temperatures.
- ET can be positioned more favorably towards the sun than FP collectors and have a greater range of installation flexibility (wall, flat roof, pitched roof, pole mount).
- Apricus collectors passively track the sun due to the round shape of the tubes. The result is more stable heat output from mid morning to mid afternoon.
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