The Adams Remodel Solar Project
The Adams residence is a great example of the ease at which retrofitting a residence with solar can be, even in heavy snow load areas. The design includes a 4kW solar PV system on the south facing 5:12 sloped roof; but, more interestingly includes a sophisticated DHW solar thermal redesign. The DHW system was simply modified to include an 80-gallon solar storage tank with an internally wrapped heat exchanger. A simple connection was made through the wall to supply hot water by means of a solar thermal panel placed on a south facing exterior wall. The solar storage tank then connects to a 30 gallon electrically heated buffer tank to supply the DHW needs of the home. An integral recirculation loop is utilized to keep the buffer tank hot with solar radiant water, only to utilize the electric resistance element in times when the solar does not suffice. For summer use, when there is an excess of solar heat produced, a 2-stage heat dump system is utilized. The first stage includes dumping the solar hot water thru a fin-tube radiator to ambient outdoor air; while the second stage dumps the hot water directly out of the solar storage tank to keep from damaging the system. This effective DHW solar thermal design is an extremely efficient way of supplying the home with its DHW needs. This client showed an interest in positive world progress in regards to humanity and the interconnectivity of solar production and expressed it by means of solar PV and thermal implementation.
