181J Roof Top Solar: Key Attributes
Most suitable for areas that receive medium to high levels of solar radiation, and is suitable for frost prone or harsh water chemistry areas.
Show less
Solahart Closed Circuit Systems are protected against freezing or harsh water conditions by our exclusive ‘Hartgard’ fluid. ‘Hartgard’ is used to lower the freezing temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid and so provides protection against freezing.
Show less
The electric boosted models are equipped with an in-tank element. Alternatively the system can be installed as a pre-heater with an inline Solahart gas booster water heater.
Show less
Solar water heaters are an excellent way to reduce your household's greenhouse emissions, by replaces energy hungry electric water heaters with energy efficient solar.
Show lessKey Features
The Solahart J Series is a roof mounted, closed circuit solar water heater specifically designed to provide economical service in medium to high solar gain areas. It is recommended for use in frost or poor water chemistry areas.
The J Series features Solahart's revolutionary multi-flow collector to extract the maximum amount of energy from the sun. This is used to heat the Hartgard fluid in the collector which rises into the heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the water inside of the tank. The ceramic lined tank has a protective anode and the SP Free Heat series features additional protection.
- Space saving roof mount design
- Reliable, low maintenance operation
- Can cut water heating energy use by up to 55%^
- Reduces household greenhouse emissions
^ Energy savings of up to 60% shown is based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling of a Solahart 181J and using a small load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing an electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of Solahart system installed, orientation and inclination of the solar collectors, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff.
† Solahart Warranty Details: 5/5/5 warranty; 5 year cylinder and collectors supply, 5 year parts, 5 year labour. 10/5/5 warranty, 10 year cylinder and collectors supply, 5 year parts, 5 year labour.
| Thermosiphon J Closed Circuit Systems | |
|---|---|
| System Model | 181J |
| Tank Model | 180J |
| Storage Capacity | 180 litres |
| Boost Capacity | 90 litres |
| Weight Empty Tank Only | 69 kg |
| Weight Full Tank Only | 249 kg |
| A-Width* Tank Only | 1.62 m |
| Weight Empty System | 119 kg |
| Weight Full System | 312 kg |
| A-Width* System | 1.62 m |
* For servicing and safe access, a space equal to the tank length should be left on the water connection end of the system and 1m (40in) should be left on the three other sides of the installation. ‡HartStat OTP is optional on these models. Systems can be installed as a solar preheater with an inline Solahart gas booster water heater. Refer to the Solahart gas booster specification sheet for further details on the gas booster.
| Collectors J | |
|---|---|
| Aperture area | 1.87 m2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 1943 mm |
| Width | 1027 mm |
| Height | 83 mm |
| Capacity | 4 litres |
| Weight Empty | 47 kg |
| Weight Full | 51 kg |
| Working Pressure | |
| no OTP | 80 kPa |
| with OTP | 170 kPa |
| Absorber Surface | Black polyester powder coat |
| Absorber/Riser Material | steel |
| Number of Risers | 35 |
| Frame Material | aluminium |
| Insulation Material (Base) | 38 mm polyester blanket |
| Glass | 3.2 mm tempered low iron |
| Water Supply | |
|---|---|
| TPR Valve Setting | 1000 kPa |
| ECV* Setting | 850 kPa |
| Maximum Supply Pressure | |
| With ECV | 680 kPa |
| Without ECV | 800 kPa |
| Water Connections | |
| Cold | Rp 3/4 |
| Hot | R 1/2 |
*Expansion Control Valve.
| Electric Boost Specifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating Unit Type | Copper sheath immersion element | |||
| Supply Voltage | 220 V - 250 V | |||
| Recovery Rate @ 240 V and Temperature Rise of: | ||||
| Rating kW |
Current Amps |
30°C litres/hour |
40°C litres/hour |
50°C litres/hour |
| 1.8 | 8 | 51 | 39 | 31 |
| 2.4 | 10 | 68 | 52 | 41 |
| 3.6 | 15 | 103 | 77 | 62 |
| 4.8 | 20 | 137 | 103 | 83 |
How Roof Top Solar Systems Work
Solar Operation
The 181J solar system has its vitreous enamel lined solar storage tank installed on the roof directly coupled to the solar collectors. In the Closed Circuit Series, heat is absorbed by the collector and passed to the ‘Hartgard’ heat transfer liquid inside the collector. As the temperature of the ‘Hartgard’ increases, the hot fluid rises up through the collector by the Natural Thermosiphon Principle, into the heat exchanger jacket around the potable water storage tank. Here, the heat is transferred to the potable water, cooling the ‘Hartgard’ fluid. The cooler fluid is then forced back down into the collectors through the displacement action of further hot fluid rising up into the heat exchanger jacket.
Orientation of Solar Collectors
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum orientation facing true north (in the southern hemisphere) or true south (in the northern hemisphere). Always check for true north or true south using a compass or other suitable device.
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum inclination. This is equal to 90% to 100% of the local latitude angle when collectors are oriented within 60° of true north or true south, and between 10° and 20° if the collectors are oriented between 60° and 90° from the optimum orientation. Generally, improved summer performance is obtained from an angle of inclination less than the optimum angle and improved winter performance is obtained by an angle of inclination greater than the optimum angle. If the angle of inclination varies by 20° from the optimum angle, the solar collectors will receive about 10% less total annual solar radiation.
Frost/Freeze Protection
Solahart Closed Circuit Systems are protected against freezing or harsh water conditions by our exclusive ‘Hartgard’ fluid. ‘Hartgard’ is a blue, non-toxic, propylene glycol fluid which, when mixed with water, provides the Heat Transfer Fluid contained in the solar collectors and the heat exchanger jacket around the tank. ‘Hartgard’ is used to lower the freezing temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid and so provides protection against freezing (Note: for the correct % of Hartgard in the Heat Transfer Fluid, refer to the section on Frost / Freeze Protection). ‘Hartgard’ is a special food grade solution and is the only solution permitted to be used in the closed circuit systems. Hartgard has been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
In-Series Gas Boosting
An in-series gas booster (also known as a continuous gas booster) can be installed between the solar water heater and the hot outlets in the house. This booster should be permanently active. The booster senses the temperature of the water passing through it: if the water temperature is above its temperature setting it does nothing; if below it will automatically heat the water up to the preset outlet temperature setting. This gas booster ensures hot water delivery for a variety of hot water demands without the need for user intervention while enabling maximum solar energy contribution to the water heating. For more information on this booster, consult the owner’s manual for the product.
Brochures
Why Solahart Solar Hot Water Systems: Download
Solahart 181J Solar Hot Water System Brochure: Download
Solahart In-Line Gas Booster Brochure: Download
Installation Manuals
Solahart On-Roof Solar Hot Water System Owner's Guide and Installation Manual: Download
Solahart In-line Gas Booster Owner's Guide and Installation Manual: Download
