SolarUS, Inc.
965 West Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
The SolarUS Evacuated Tube - Features & Benefits:
AMERICAN - SolarUS is 100% American owned and based:Moving manufacturing of Evacuated Tubes to Connecticut by 2013.Fully invested to progressing the Green movement in the United States, unlike foreign-based companies that could exit the market at anytime.
PERFORMANCE - High BTU Output/Performance: SRCC Rated for 43,900 BTUsClear Day C-Rating. The SL-30 is in the top 10% for highest performance collectors in the world, top 5% for efficiency of production/square foot.
WARRANTY - Longest warranty in the industry: Full 15 year. Instead of 10 year like many other manufacturers
ABSORPTION - Higher Absorption of Solar Radiation: Triple layer absorber coating instead made of Selective SS-AL/N-Cu coating. The first layer traps solar radiation. The second converts it into thermal energy. The third transfers the energy to the heat fin, which then is transfer to the heat pipe.Instead of single or double layer absorbers with less efficiency.
HEAT FIN - Absorbs Reflective Energy behind the Collector: Heat Fin and Absorbers coat Inner Tube 360oaround. Instead of only 180o or 270o.
HEAT PIPE - No Damage to Collector or Heat Pipe during Stagnation: Heat Pipe Solution is an All Fluid Mixture without solids. Instead of solutions comprised of a copper powder and fluid mixture, which has the potential to clog within the heat pipe and cut production.
HEADER TUBE - Increased Heat Transfer through Higher Surface Area Contact between the Heat Pipe Condenser Bulb and Header Pipe: Header Pipe is one solid piece with dry well sockets to hold entire Heat Pipe: Instead of the condenser bulb being sandwiched between an upper and lower plate (comprising the header tube).
INSULATION - High R-Value Insulation: High-Tech closed cell foam to lock out moisture. Instead of only fiber wool insulation that will absorb moisture over time and conduct heat rather than insulate it.
END-CAPS - Tube Feet Held Securely with Positive Locking System: End-Caps are screwed on.Instead of metal clippings that have higher probability of popping out.
DURABILITY - Built for durability and 30-year lifetime: Extruded Aluminum Manifold Casing. Instead of a weak bent sheet metal.
WIND LOAD - Rated for 150 mph winds: Can be installed anywhere in the U.S. including South Florida Hurricane Zones.
Evacuated Tube vs. Flat Plate:
ET - Performs in Cold Climates: Vacuum Insulation. The vacuum space between the outer and inner glass tube acts as an insulator, which means that there isn’t atmosphere to reradiate absorbed energy. The collector performs unaffected by ambient air temperature with zero heat loss from the evacuated tubes.FP – Do not have a vacuum insulation and will suffer tremendous heat loss and low performance in cold weather.
ET - Passive Solar Tracking: Round Absorber. Cylindrical shape of the tubes allows the absorbers to keep a perpendicular angle to the sun starting early in the day and lasting late into the afternoon. FP – Optimal angle to absorb sun’s rays only occur at solar noon.
ET - Flexible Orientation: Minimal Performance Loss if Collector does not face true south. Evacuated tubes are more forgiving and will still produce thermal energy through partial shade, clouds, or facing up to 40 degrees off south. FP – Dramatic drop in performance if flat plate does not face south.
ET – Continued Performance through Partial Damage: Tubes are in Parallel not Series. If 1 tube breaks in a 30-tube panel, 29 other tubes still function. Additionally, tubes can be replaced without draining or interrupting the system. FP – If the glass for a flat plate is damaged, the entire collector will stop functioning and need replacing.
ET - Easy Installation. A Manifold and Frame (54 lbs assembled, combined weight) can be carried by 1 person. Glass tubes (6 lbs each) can be loaded one at a time. FP – Collectors can be awkward and heavy, commonly 4’ x 8’ and weighing more than 100 lbs, requiring more than one installer to carry.
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