Residential/Commercial Solar Hot Water Heating

The Process
Evacuated tubes are the first component to any solar hot water system, and they are the most efficient thermal collector on the market today. Solar Enterprises uses the same evacuated tubes pictured above, and we sell tubes that are SRCC certified. These tubes use a selective absorbing film to take the suns radiation and transfer it into heat energy. The tubes are filled with a mixture that is flash evaporated which causes it to rise and heat a copper header. This heat energy is then transfered to a glycol filled copper tube, that won’t freeze, which circulates the hot glycol through the system to heat the water in the water storage tank. This system helps to lessen your energy costs that would otherwise be spent heating the water in your water tank.


These tubes are not only more efficient than flat panels, they are protected from aging, and they are strengthened against environmental damage and are rated to withstand up to golfball sized hail. Thermal conduction and convection losses are relatively small since evacuated tubes take in about 93% of the suns radiation and only let 3-5% out. This is shown by the fact that the inside of the tube may be 300℉, the outside of the tubes are still cool to touch. During cloudy days the tubes will still operate but not with as much efficiency. During this time your existing hot water heating system will be used to make up the difference in heat. It’s also important to remember that, during the winter, the temperature outside can be very low, but if the collector is still getting good sun exposure then it will still operate at maximum efficiency.


These solar collectors are made up of individual evacuated tubes. This solar collector pictured above is the same one that is used by Solar Enterprises. These collectors can be adjusted for each roof so that they will still attain the maximum exposure needed to operate at the highest efficiency. At Solar Enterprises we can help calculate how many collectors are needed for different households.

The Solution
It is important to remember that Solar Enterprises solar hot water heating systems are to be used in conjunction with your current hot water heating system, not as a replacement, because you always need a backup for days when sun exposure on the tubes is less than ideal. Whether or not you are using our systems to heat your house, or to heat your pool, you can be sure that Solar Enterprises will provide you with the best products on the market and that our qualified technicians will take care of installation so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

If you have any additional questions or inquiries, please don’t hesitate to call us at (574)946-3233.