Specifications

INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
35
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 latitude of some Australian cities are listed on page 35.
However, the optimum inclination of solar collectors is not always practical or achievable. A thermosiphon
solar water heater may be installed at the roof angle for simplicity of installation and appearance, but must
never be less than 10° from the horizontal.
The water heater is suitable for installations with an inclination of up to 30°. Where the solar water heater is
installed at inclinations greater than 30°, a With Pitch frame and tank frame mounting kit are necessary.
Refer to your local Solar Distributor for details.
A Fixed Pitch frame can be installed to increase the angle of inclination of the thermosiphon solar water
heater. 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. A tank frame mounting kit is also required with a Fixed Pitch frame. Refer to your local
Solar Distributor for details.
The use of a Fixed Pitch frame should be discussed with the system owner. If this option is neither possible
nor acceptable to the system owner, then the system owner needs to be made aware of, understand and
accept that increased boosting may be required to meet their hot water requirements.
CYCLONIC OR HIGH WIND AREAS
For an installation of a thermosiphon solar water heater in a cyclonic or high wind area, a suitable With Pitch
frame and a tank frame mounting kit are required. Refer to your local Solar Distributor for details.
The installation of this solar water heater with a tank frame mounting kit on a suitable frame, subject to the
frame‟s design criteria not being exceeded:
is suitable for installation in geographic locations up to and within Wind Region D (With Pitch frame) or
up to and within Wind Region C (Fixed Pitch frame), as defined in the Building Code of Australia,
Australian / New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1170.2:2002 and the Australian Standard AS 4055-2006, or
equivalent location, and
provides an acceptable method of installation where it is necessary to satisfy the requirements of the
Building Code of Australia and AS/NZS 3500.4 Clause 6.5.3.4 for high wind areas, or equivalent
requirements.
LATITUDE OF SOME AUSTRALIAN CITIES
Adelaide
35°S
Cairns
17°S
Hobart
42°S
Port Hedland
20°S
Alice Springs
24°S
Canberra
35°S
Mildura
34°S
Rockhampton
24°S
Brisbane
27°S
Darwin
12°S
Melbourne
38°S
Sydney
34°S
Broken Hill
31°S
Geraldton
28°S
Perth
32°S
Townsville
19°S