Solar geysers: Is the South African market educated enough?

A recent Consumer Watch (Cape Times - 28 June 2010) raised concerns about the level of education on solar water heating in South Africa. According to the report a number of direct solar water heaters recently burst after extremely cold conditions in Johannesburg.

Solahart managing director (MD) Jim Hickey is surprised that consumers weren't aware of the risks involved in installing direct systems in frost prone areas.

"Over the past 28 years I've come into contact with every type of system and installation one can imagine. I've often had to replace direct systems with Solahart's indirect flat panel system following periods of extreme cold," said Hickey.

According to Hickey, direct solar panels burst because the water is heated in the panel. When temperatures drop below freezing point, the water in the panels freezes and expands, causing the panels to break.

Direct system suppliers claim that an anti-freeze valve prevents breakage by opening a hydraulic circuit before the water inside the panel freezes. This circulates the hot water in the system through the panels to prevent the cold water from freezing. However, because temperature drops so rapidly during South African winters, this process isn't fast enough. 

"Apart from the inconvenience of not having hot water and the amount of water that gushes from the panels when the ice melts, the glass shards can be very dangerous. The glass on Solahart's flat panels have a low iron content, which not only makes it much stronger than normal glass, but also ensures that it breaks into very small pieces. When it falls from the roof, it poses very little threat of injury. Direct and evacuated tube systems break during hailstorms and very cold conditions, splintering into large, dangerous glass pieces," Hickey pointed out.

According to Hickey, South African consumers aren't sufficiently educated on solar water

"I'd like to see more articles and media coverage aimed at educating the consumer on the advantages and disadvantages of different systems. Damage of this magnitude could have been prevented had consumers been better educated."

Hickey claims breakage isn't the only threat bad solar installations poses.

"A lot of companies connect solar panels to existing geysers. Consumers don't realise that this is extremely dangerous. The heat generated in solar panels can't be regulated. Electric geysers aren't built to withstand the amount of pressure that builds up when water is heated by the sun. These geysers can literally explode in the roof, which can cost lives," he said.

"What's more, incidents like this make homeowners suspicious of all solar geysers. Although some solar geyser companies have been around for many years, since the introduction of the Eskom rebate, the industry has been flooded with inferior systems. It's to the benefit of the country, the environment and individuals to invest in solar water heaters. Every time an inferior system fails, it damages the reputation of the entire industry.

"As in any other industry, you get what you pay for when you invest in a solar water heater. Cheaper systems are generally cheaper because inferior materials are used during manufacturing. Everyone, from the media to insurance companies should get on board to prevent homeowners from investing in systems that have to be replaced regularly," he concluded.