Solar Domestic Hot Water Collector Systems
.. How it works:
It is bright and sunny.
Your solar hot water collectors are beginning their daily ritual of warming up so that they can begin to transfer heat into the house; Hot water for your shower, kitchen, laundry room, dishwasher - and wherever you are in need of it.This is reality for those who have already invested in solar hot water systems, and are benefiting from the reliable, clean, and silent power of the sun. Where natural gas, propane, and oil are being depleted faster than ever, the sun will be around for the next million years or so, and the day that it doesn't come up, all the gasoline in all the world wont be much consolation! To find out why we favor the Skyline collectors read the PDF below.
Introducing Skyline Collectors
- Key Benefits

n
Eliminate 60 to 95% of your water heating bill.n Constantly increase savings in a non-taxable income.
n Your home's equity value increases with your investment.
n Uses non-polluting free solar energy.
n Doubles the amount of hot water available.
Skyline collectors for solar domestic hot water heating
You can do it yourself. Its flexible, reliable & attractive.

Long, sleek, low and lightweight (under 38 lb) with a skylight appearance that will startle your neighbors and will add more charm to your home's architectural appearance.
All you need to assemble the system, are basic home-owner's tools, pipe
insulation,
and four to eight hours of time + / - for installation in most
situations.
Storage Tanks:
- Overview/
Prices
- Brochure
- Installation Manual
5 Systems for no freeze areas till hard freeze areas (-54F)
n
System 1: 12 volt circulator, snap switch, light freeze options available.n
System 2: 110 volt circulator, differential control, light freeze option availablen
System 3: 12 volt circulator with PV panel, light freeze option availablen
System 4: 110 volt circulator, differential control, - full freeze protectionn
System 5: 12 volt circulator with PV panel, - full freeze protection
..and because Canada is not Florida we first start with the full freeze protection and System 5 – counting down.
System 5
- with PV Option. Works like a dream – we have a demo system working for us for years.This system is for total collector freeze protection (to -54F) in hard freeze areas.
§
Includes: 12 Volt DC El-Sid Circulator with 11 Watt UniSolar PV Panel for 2 collectors and 12 Volt DC Hartel Circulator with 21 Watt PV Panel for 3 and 4 collectors, including mounting hardware and 25' of wire.
§
50' of 1/2" Copper tubing and tube connections§
Complete connections for Rheem 80 Gallon Double Wall Heat Exchanger Solar Tank including two charging valves, check valve, isolation valve, 2 thermometers, pump switch, expansion tank and all connections.§
Collector Pressure Relief Valve with splash guard§
Collector install kit§
6' of outside insulation / food grade antifreeze (Sierra)§
Full Installation Instructions and Owners Manual.§ Tank not included!
80 Gallon Stiebel Eltron or Rheem/Rudd Heat Exchanger Tank( not supplied)

System 4 -
110 Volt AC
Complete Freeze Protection using "QUAD ROD" Thermo siphon Heat
Exchanger with Expansion Tank, charging valves, Check valve, and all connections
(in place of "Quick Connect)
NOTE: The NEW Fireball "SUN SAVER" 20 Gallon Heat Exchanger Tank that
goes under your existing tank and heats it by thermo siphon action is now
available (20HE)
§
Includes: 110V line cord§
Taco 006 Circulator§
Line Cord Differential Control with 2 sensors and 25" of sensor wire,§
50' of 1/2" copper tubing, tube connections![]()
§
Collector pressure relief valve§
Install Kit§
6' high temperature insulation§
Food grade antifreeze (Sierra)§
Installation Instruction's and Owners Manual§ Tank not included! ( any 80 gallon gas or electrical tank with a side TPRV (tank pressure relief valve) will do) - comes with 4' Quad Rod"
If the electric elements are not needed, the Quad Rod can use the top element hole. Some soldering is required to connect the Quad Rod to the Tank, full instructions, food grade Propylene glycol antifreeze, modified hardware and Operations manual are included.
For Photovoltaic Power to replace 110 Volt circulator and Differential
Controller with sensors.
Includes special PV Panel Mounting kit and 25' of 12 volt HD wire,
El-Sid circulator or Hartel circulator
A two collector minimum is recommended.
Systems for use in non freeze areas.
Light freeze options are available on request
System 3 - PV
§ Includes 12 Volt DC ElSid or Hartel Circulator
§
11 or 21 Watt PV Panel Including mounting hardware and wire.§
Two Collector maximum for 11 Watt PV Panel§
3 collector system uses a 21 watt PV panel§
50' of 1/2" Copper tubing and tube connections§
Existing Tank "Easy Connect" Kit with shut off, drain valves,§
2 thermometers![]()
§
Pump switch (bottom connect is standard, top connect is available at no extra charge)§
Collector Pressure Relief Valve with splash guard§
6' of outside insulation§
Install Kit full instructions and Owners Manual§ Standard, top connect is available at no extra charge)
§
Collector Pressure Relief Valve with splash guard§
6' of outside insulation§
Install Kit, installation instructions and Owners Manual.§ TANK NOT INCLUDED!
System 2 - 110 AC
§
Includes: 110 Volt AC Circulator with Line Cord§
Recirculation* Differential Control including line cord![]()
§
2 high quality sensors (deletes 12 Volt Pump, snap switch and transformer)§ 50' of 1/2" Copper tubing and tube connections
§
Existing Tank "Easy Connect" Kit with shut off and
drain valves (bottom connect is standard, top connect
is available at no extra charge)§
Collector Pressure Relief Valve§
Install Kit / 6' of outside insulation full installation instructions and manual§
Tank not included!
System 1 - PV
§
Includes: 12 Volt DC with 110oF Snap Switch and Transformer.§
Complete 20 Square Foot, 20" x 12',
Solar Thermal Collector with Flush Mounting
Kit / 12volt El-Sid orHartel Circulator
§
50' of 1/2" Copper tubing and tube connections§
Existing Tank "Easy Connect" Kit with shut off
and drain valves (bottom connect is standard,
top connect is available at no extra charge)§
Collector Pressure Relief Valve§
Install Kit / 6' of outside insulation, full installation instructions and manual.§ Tank not included!
All Systems include
One or more 20 square foot (20"x12') solar collectors with mounting kit, 50' of 1/2" copper tubing and tube connections to existing tank, "Easy Connect" kit (with shut off and drain valves) or full freeze protection with thermo siphon heat exchanger, collector pressure relief valve and vent kits, install kit and complete instructions.
Options include
·
A photovoltaic (PV) circulator pump (EL-SID) that runs purely on energy generated from the sun. There is no need for any utility electricity!·
100 percent freeze protection anywhere with a low cost heat exchanger that connects to most existing water heaters with minor soldering.·
Up to 3 additional collectors, colors and Tilt kits
Main Features
n No-Solder-Installation -
Easily Done by most Homeowners!
Design
and Installations make it easily to do by" ONE handy" person!
n Added Value! Most of the
Work is done For You!
Your
Fireball M 2000 is mostly Pre-Assembled and Labeled for you at the Factory!
The attractive, Slim, Design is Safer and Easier
to Place on your Roof.
n Unbreakable Lexan Cover
with 10 year Warranty from GE!
Much Lighter, Safer and
Easier to Install than Conventional Glass.
n Photovoltaic (PV) Pump
Option, Run Purely on the SUN!
For
Care Free Installation, with PV - no need for 110V AC Connections!
n Modular Design makes your
solar system Easily enlarged!
You can start with one panel and add them as the Family or needs grows!
n 100% Freeze Protection
with Low Cost Thermo siphon Heat
Exchanger option!
Easily connects to most water heaters with minor soldering.
n All Aluminum Frame, in
different colors is Truly Attractive
The Manufacture takes his Pride in Craftsmanship and Quality Materials.
A Quality System Designed
to Last!
The
Fireball Collector has a life expectancy of over 30 years!
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The Fireball Advantages |
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SOLAR WATER HEATING COMPARISONS |
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|
FEATURE |
FIRE- |
AET |
Helio- |
Sun- |
Radco |
Sunny 3 or 4 |
|
|
Easy to Carry |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Light Weight |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Easy to Ship |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
UPS Shippable |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Easy to Install |
YES |
NO |
NO |
YES |
NO |
YES |
|
|
One Person Install |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Easy to Repair |
YES |
NO |
NO |
YES |
NO |
YES |
|
|
Easy to Remove |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Easy to Expand |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Attractive on Roof |
YES |
NO |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Easy to Tilt |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
No Solder Installation |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Supplied with Lines |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Mostly Pre assembled |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Low Cost PV Option |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
|
|
Low Cost Freeze Protection |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
|
|
High Performance |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Quality Construction |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
All Copper Lines |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Selective Surface |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
10 Year Ltd. Col. Warranty |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
PV or not PV ?
The PV option cost a little more but it is nice to know that your system operates 100% by the sun, and not be effected by power outages. PV is sometimes easier to install as it eliminates the need for a nearby 110 Volt power outlet. PV power is also available as an option on systems 2 and 4.
Storage:
You need at least 1 gallon of storage for each square foot of collector area. So your storage tank should be at least 50 gallons, although 30 to 40 gallon water heaters can work well with a single panel. Generally, the larger the water heater the better.

Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating
FAQ page Heating