Last year I built prototype solar panels and summarized the preliminary data gathered in some test runs (see this project’s archive here). I’ve been collecting performance data over the last year and am now ready to present the results. Data Collection The data for this analysis comes from three temperature loggers (Elitech RC-4, P.S., we … More Solar Hot Water Panels Year 1 Data, sort of — Lab Note 1.08
Last year I built prototype solar panels and summarized the preliminary data gathered in some test runs (see this project’s archive here). Yesterday I provided the plans and schematics for this build. Today I’m going into some of the nitty gritty installation details. Burying the Supply and Return Lines The supply lines are buried 2 … More Installing Solar Hot Water Panels, Part 2 — Lab Note 1.07
Last year I built prototype solar panels and summarized the preliminary data gathered in some test runs (see this project’s archive here). Here I will outline the plans drawn up to get a building permit from our local municipality. Schematic Plans These show the basic operation of the system. It is a schematic and not … More Installing Solar Hot Water Panels, Part 1 — Lab Note 1.06
Monday I summarized the preliminary data gathered from the solar panel prototypes (see Part 1 here). In this note, I will look at each panel and discuss its strengths, weaknesses, and performance. Manifold Collector In the manifold collector, water enters the bottom and is distributed into risers connected to a sheet of metal. This collector … More Panel Analyses, Part 2 — Lab Note 1.05
Last week I set up the four test panels in the commons across from the institute and let them run for the day. I posted the raw data of the results of that test, and today I am following up with some preliminary analyses. The first graph shows the raw temperature and flow data for … More Panel Analyses, Part 1 — Lab Note 1.04
Yesterday I set up the four test arrays on the Cooksville Commons across the street from the institute. They were in full sun all day except for about an hour in the afternoon when we had 10–30 percent cloud cover. I am providing the data below. This is raw data that will be of interest … More Panel Test Results — Lab Note 1.03
I’ve been busy gathering materials and building four test panels to see which design is the best one for our solar water panels. The Test Panels Each test panel is 2 × 4 ft. The equal size will allow us to compare per-foot heat generation directly. The panels are made of 2-×-6-in nominal lumber. The … More Solar Test Arrays — Lab Note 1.02
This year our major research project is a DIY solar water heating system that will provide both domestic hot water and space heating. As these two activities account for the majority of domestic energy use, they are low-hanging fruit for cutting our use of fossil fuels. We will be building and experimenting with approachable solar … More Workshops: DIY Solar Water Heating, Jul. 29/Aug. 12, Free/$10
“Lab Notes” are a new series of posts chronicling the daily progress our research projects. Research Project No. 1 is the testing and installation of a solar heating system for domestic water and space heating. These notes may be useful for anyone interested in building such a system at home. Others might prefer the more … More Solar Water Pumps — Lab Note 1.01
This year’s Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence is coming up August 4–6 at Troy Gardens in Madison. This event brings together people with an unusually wide diversity of skills to share in workshops over this weekend event. Dozens of sessions are already listed, many of which align with the mission of the Low Technology Institute’s core principles: … More Permaculture Convergence — Madison, WI, Aug. 4-6