Rheem 596160 Owner's Manual And Installation Instructions page 36

INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
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.
In Victoria, a 596160 tank system installed within the Regulation Compliance Zone achieves compliance to
new home legislation for water heating with:
•
2 x LCS solar collectors using a medium load, 3+ bedroom load size, or
•
1 x CSA2013 solar collector using a small load, 1-2 bedroom load size.
Outside of the compliance zone using a small load 1-2 bedroom load size, 2 x NPT200 or LCS solar
collectors should be used to achieve compliance where applicable.
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 generally 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
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, selective surface collectors in lieu of non-selective surface collectors, or
2 x LCS solar collectors in lieu of 1 x CSA2013 solar collector may be installed to make up for the reduction in
solar performance.
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.
LATITUDE OF SOME AUSTRALIAN CITIES
Adelaide 35°S
Alice Springs 24°S
Brisbane 27°S
Broken Hill 31°S
latitude of some Australian cities
Cairns 17°S
Canberra 35°S
Darwin 12°S
Geraldton 28°S
are listed on page 36.
Hobart 42°S
Mildura 34°S
Melbourne 38°S
Perth 32°S
36
Port Hedland 20°S
Rockhampton 24°S
Sydney 34°S
Townsville 19°S