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Typical Costs for Solar Water Heating Systems


Typical Costs for Solar Water Heating Systems
* Double glazed flat-plate collectors are typically used in cooler and cold climates where freezing is likely to happen. A second layer of glazing reduces heat losses from the surface of the absorber plate and extra insulation is added to the underside of the absorber plate.

** Many solar water heater manufacturers and suppliers sell complete solar water heater kits for domestic and small commercial use. Solar water heater kits typically include solar collectors, a specified length of connecting piping (usually insulated), flashing and roof mounting materials, thermal expansion tank, controls, heat exchanger with heat transfer fluid and pumps and a detailed installation manual.

*** In China (the world's largest solar water heating market), over 70% of domestic solar water heating systems sold for less than $225 per household unit compared to per-system costs in Europe of $1,000 to $1,250 (for somewhat larger systems). 88% of Chinese solar water heater sales are evacuated glass tube collectors.