Students will:
- Explain the principles of solar thermal technology and how solar energy is used for water heating.
- Identify different types of solar collectors and describe how their design affects system performance.
- Recognize the functions of storage tanks, heat exchangers, pumps, controllers, valves, and piping in solar water heating systems.
- Differentiate between active, passive, direct, and indirect solar water heating systems.
- Describe the design and layout requirements for common solar water heating configurations.
- Identify workplace hazards and appropriate safety procedures for solar water heating installations.
- Explain how to conduct site assessments and determine appropriate system sizing and collector placement.
- Describe proper installation procedures for solar collectors, storage tanks, piping, and supporting components.
- Explain the installation, wiring, and operation of solar water heating control systems.
- Identify procedures for testing, starting, and verifying solar water heating system operation.
- Describe routine maintenance practices and troubleshooting methods for common system problems.
- Recognize the importance of industry standards, certification requirements, and applicable installation codes.
Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Introduction to Solar Thermal Technology
Solar thermal technology uses energy from the sun to heat water for residential and commercial applications. In this lesson, you’ll learn how solar water heating works, how the industry has developed over time, and how government policies, environmental benefits, and operating costs influence its use.
Lesson 2: Solar Thermal Principles
Understanding how sunlight becomes usable heat is essential to solar water heating. This lesson covers solar radiation, the sun’s changing position, and how collector placement affects performance. You’ll also learn how heat moves through a system and why temperature differences and thermal mass matter.
Lesson 3: Solar Collectors
Solar collectors are responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into heat. This lesson explains how collectors are constructed, how different designs operate, and what affects their efficiency. You’ll also learn how collector ratings and certifications are used to compare performance.
Lesson 4: Solar Water Heating System Components
A solar water heating system relies on several components working together to deliver hot water. This lesson explains the purpose of storage tanks, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, controllers, and piping, along with how these components support heat transfer, water storage, and system operation.
Lesson 5: Solar Water Heating System Operation
Not all solar water heating systems operate the same way. In this lesson, you’ll learn the differences between active and passive systems, how direct and indirect heating configurations work, and how systems prevent freezing and overheating.
Lesson 6: Solar Water Heating System Design and Layout
Proper system design begins with selecting the right configuration and arranging components for efficient operation. This lesson covers the layout of passive, active, combination, and pool heating systems, including how certification standards help identify appropriate system designs.
Lesson 7: Solar Water Heating Installation Safety
Installing solar water heating equipment involves working with heavy materials, elevated surfaces, electrical components, and potentially hazardous conditions. This lesson covers the safety procedures, protective equipment, and work practices needed to reduce installation risks and maintain a safe job site.
Lesson 8: Solar Water Heating Site Assessment
Before installing a solar water heating system, it’s important to determine whether the site can support the equipment and meet the building’s hot water needs. You’ll learn how to assess roof conditions, shading, collector placement, and water demand, as well as how these findings guide system sizing and installation planning.
Lesson 9: Solar Collector Installation
Correctly mounting solar collectors is essential for system performance and protecting the building from damage. This lesson covers installation preparation, mounting options, roof orientation, attachment methods, and waterproofing procedures used to secure collectors.
Lesson 10: Installing Solar Storage Tanks, Piping, and System Components
Once the collectors are in place, the remaining equipment must be installed and connected. This lesson covers the installation of storage tanks, piping, insulation, pumps, valves, and other components, with attention to proper connections, equipment placement, and installation requirements.
Lesson 11: Installing and Wiring Operational Control Systems
Control systems regulate when and how solar water heating equipment operates. In this lesson, you’ll learn how controllers and temperature sensors work together to manage heat transfer, along with the procedures for installing, wiring, and testing these devices.
Lesson 12: Testing, Startup, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
After installation, a solar water heating system must be tested and prepared for operation. This lesson covers pressure testing, startup procedures, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting common problems to help keep systems operating safely and efficiently.
