Glycol Replacement In Solar Panels

The renewable green alternative to ethylene or propylene glycol has a slower thermal degradation rate than both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol and outperforms propylene glycol s viscosity at lower temperatures.

Glycol replacement in solar panels.

This is not always the case we will test the condition of your system before we do. Most solar thermal systems use antifreeze as the liquid to transport heat from the solar panel to the cylinder. However there are a few drain back systems that only use water. A solar collector mounted on the roof absorbs energy from the sun and transfers it to a medium usually a water glycol mixture which is then pumped to a coil in a tank where it heats up the water.

For solar thermal applications mixtures based on propylene glycol or the green glycol are recommended. Air in the loop can cause pump. It is vital that you consult the chart to avoid mixing too little or too much glycol into your system too little will risk consequences in cold weather too much will reduce the mix s efficiency. Solar water heating systems that use an antifreeze solution propylene glycol or ethylene glycol as a heat transfer fluid have effective freeze protection as long as the proper antifreeze concentration is maintained.

A conventional immmersion heater or gas boiler can be used to top up the temperature of the water particularly in winter or to provide extra hot water when required. Antifreeze fluids degrade over time and normally should be changed every 3 5 years. Sentinel r100 solar thermal fluid is glycol based and designed for use in solar heating equipment operating up to 200 c. The other factor specific to solar glycol is is ability to completely vaporize or steam when stagnation temperatures are present.

It s non toxic biodegradable and relatively stable. When commissioning a pressurized glycol solar hot water system it is essential that all the air in the solar loop is removed. All glycol products used in solar fluid mixes come with a dilution chart an example of which is shown below. Most glycol will break down and become acid needing immediate replacement if those temperatures are reached.

The antifreeze is normally non toxic propylene glycol as opposed to toxic ethylene glycol. During static conditions the solar collectors should be completely empty so that the thermal fluid is not exposed to extreme temperatures. An antifreeze change may be required for your solar system.