Rheem Solar Premier Loline 596270 Owner's Manual And Installation Instructions page 34

INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
Each of these options should be discussed with the system owner. If neither of these options is possible nor
acceptable to the system owner, then the system owner needs to be made aware of, understand and accept
that solar system performance will be reduced and increased boosting may be required to meet their hot water
requirements.
Where the collectors can be installed at a similar angle either east or west of the optimal orientation, then the
hot water load and usage pattern may need to be considered. If the majority of hot water usage is before
2:00 PM favour an easterly bias. If the majority of hot water usage is after 2:00 PM favour a westerly bias.
Note: Always check for true north or true south using a compass or other suitable device.
INCLINATION OF SOLAR COLLECTORS
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum inclination. This
is equal to 90% to 100% of the local latitude angle when collectors are oriented within 60° of true north or true
south, and between 10° and 20° when the collectors are oriented between 60° and 90° from the optimum
orientation.
Generally, improved summer performance is obtained from an angle of inclination less than the optimum angle
and improved winter performance is obtained by an angle of inclination greater than the optimum angle. If the
angle of inclination varies by 20° from the optimum angle, the solar collectors will receive about 10% less total
annual solar radiation. The
AS/NZS 3500.4 states that solar collectors shall be installed at an angle within 20° of the local latitude angle.
However, the optimum inclination of solar collectors is not always practical or achievable. Solar collectors may
be installed at the roof angle for simplicity of installation and appearance, but must never be less than 10° from
the horizontal for a closed circuit drain back system.
The solar collectors, when installed with the supplied mounting system, are suitable for installations with an
inclination of up to 45°. Where the solar collectors are installed at inclinations greater than 45°, a With Pitch
frame is necessary. Contact Rheem or your local Rheem Solar Water Heater Distributor for details.
A Variable Pitch frame can be installed to increase the angle of inclination of the solar collectors used in a
solar pumped water heater installation. This type of frame should be used if the roof pitch is less than 10° or
varies by more than 20° below the optimum angle. Contact Rheem or your local Rheem Solar Water Heater
Distributor for details.
The use of a Variable Pitch frame should be discussed with the system owner. If this option is neither possible
nor acceptable to the system owner, it may be possible for an additional solar collector to be installed or to
install selective surface collectors in lieu of non-selective surface collectors to help make up for the reduction
in solar performance compared to the optimum inclination. Each option should be discussed with the system
owner.
If these options are neither possible nor acceptable to the system owner, then the system owner needs to be
made aware of, understand and accept that solar system performance will be reduced and increased boosting
may be required to meet their hot water requirements.
CYCLONIC OR HIGH WIND AREAS
For an installation of solar collectors on a pitched roof in a cyclonic or high wind area, a suitable With Pitch
frame is required. Contact Rheem or your local Rheem Solar Water Heater Distributor for details.
The installation of these solar collectors on a suitable frame, subject to the frame's design criteria not being
exceeded:

may be suitable for installation in geographic locations up to and within Wind Region D (With-Pitch frame)
or up to and within Wind Region C (Variable-Pitch frame), as defined in Volume 2 of the National
Construction Code, AS 4055 and AS/NZS 1170.2, or equivalent locations, and

may provide an acceptable method of installation where it is necessary to satisfy the requirements of the
National Construction Code for high wind areas, or equivalent requirements.
latitude of some Australian cities are listed on page 35.
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