How can I install a solar hot water system?

For the majority of installations, the tanks are fitted on or in the roof, and the panels are fitted on the roof. The roof should face north or south with a margin of approximately 20° east or west. If this is not possible then a proportional loss in performance can be expected. At 45° off north or south the loss is 10 per cent and at 90° the loss is 20 per cent. Some manufacturers provide mounting frames which provide for rooftops that face south, east and west. In some cases adding an extra collector panel can compensate for the poor orientation. Ideally there should be no shading of the collectors from vegetation or nearby structures between 8am and 6pm.

The installation should be done by an experienced installer,and all plumbing connections must be done by a licensed plumber. The heater is normally installed on top of the existing roof. Installation will generally take around half a day to complete in most cases.

Some roofs require strengthening in order to support the extra weight of a solar water heater safely. The installer will know what to look for, and how to do this.