Which Solar Water Heater is Best in india - FPC or ETC?
Murickens Group is the indias largest solar water heater manufacturer located in Kerala.Different models of solar water heaters are available.ie, FPC nd ETC.All models have international quality certifications.Solar water heater is work with the help of solar energy or sunlight.This system work using thermosiphon principle and this system provide hot water with out using electricity.This system is n eco friendly system.
Before installing water heater we know its importance, Which solar water heater is efficient, which solar water heater is best in india, how solar water heater works etc.Solar hot water system produce hot water for the purpose of domestic, commercial, and industrial needs.
How does solar water heater works?
This system is installed in the roof top or open ground with its collector is facing the sun and connected to a continious water supply.Solar panels recieve solar energy from the sun.Water flows through the tubes and absorbs solar heat and it becomes hot.The hot water is stored in the tank for further use.
Parts of the Solar Water Heating System
Solar hot water system consists of a flat plate solar collector
Storage tank located behind the collector, and connecting pipes.
Two types of solar water heaters are available FPC (Flat Plate Collector) and ETC (Evacuated Tube Collector).
Flat Plate Collector(FPC)
Flat Plate Collector(FPC) solar water heater is manufactured by Murickens group.This model is made up of copper tube.This model have low maintenance cost.
Evacuated Tube Collector(ETC)
Evacuated Tube Collector(ETC) is made with glass tubes instead of copper tubes.this model is low expensive compared to ETC model
| S.No | Evacuated Tube Collector (ETC) | Flat Plate Collector (FPC) |
| 1 | Quickly heat water | Slowly heat water |
| 2 | The efficiency of the collector on higher temperature is high | The efficiency of the collector on higher temperature is low |
| 3 | Negligible heat loss in the tubes during the daytime (evacuated tube solar water heater) | Higher heat loss (due to convection) in the collector & tank during the day-time |
| 4 | Convection and Convecting losses are low | Convection and Convecting losses are high |
| 5 | Low emissivity | High emissivity |
| 6 | Satisfactory performance (-18 deg. C) even in extreme cold condition | Freezing of water will take place at high altitude can cause damage to the collector |
| 7 | Temperature range (heat water) from 60degrees to 120 degrees | Temperature range (heat water)from 60 degrees to 80 degrees |
| 8 | Easy to replace glass tube | Difficult as well as expensive to replace glass sheet |
| 9 | Negligible scaling of tubes which can be cleaned manually (inner tube dia. Is 37mm) hence, loss of efficiency consequently is minimal | Heavy scaling of the copper/aluminum tubes which cannot be cleaned manually as the bore dia. is 12.50 mm hence, giving rise to a substantial loss inefficiency of the system. |
| 10 | In locations with an average availability of solar energy over-sizing of the system glass tube collectors are not required | Higher system sizing is required to get the desired result and therefore added extra cost |
| 11 | Heat exchanger not required | Heat exchanger required |
| 12 | Advanced technology at competitive price | Old technology at higher prices |
| 13 | Provision of a hot water facility for 350 days a year | Provision of a hot water facility for 300 days in a year |
| 14 | System life above 5-11 years | System life over 25 years |
| 15 | Water quality does not affect the system | Water quality affects the heating system forming scale over a metal tube |
| 16 | Low maintenance | High maintenance |
| 17 | Grouting of Collectors not required | Grouting of collectors are required |
| 18 | The collector glass tube absorbers (being cylindrical the incident) absorbs the sun’s rays on the tubes is at 90 degrees throughout the day. Hence peak heat absorption as always | The collector fins & tubes (being flat the incident) absorbs sun’s rays is at 90 degrees at noon only for peak absorption |
| 19 | System hot water tank only is insulated using polyurethane insulation material, which does not absorb water or moisture | Collector & tank insulated with glass wool/ rock wool absorbs moisture & gets wet during monsoons reducing the efficiency of the system |
