Rheem 52C300
Roof Top Solar Hot Water System
The 52C300 Premier Hiline closed circuit solar water heater is designed for both the solar collectors and the solar storage tank to be roof mounted. The solar storage tank has a Colorbond® jacket and is suitable for installation with the NPT200 solar collectors. It is designed for installation in areas subject to frost or freeze conditions, that receive to medium to high solar gain.
Family size
300
Capacity (L)
2
Collectors
5/3/1 yr
Warranty†
52C300 Roof Top Solar: Key Attributes
Optimal Performance
Most suitable for areas that receive medium to high levels of solar radiation and are not subject to frost conditions.
Frost Resistant
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.
Boosting
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.
Environmental Incentives
There is an incentive resulting in a financial benefit to households that install solar hot water, under the Renewable Energy Target – a Federal Government legislated scheme. Your Solahart Expert can deduct the value of the financial benefit as an upfront discount off your system.
The 52C series solar water heater is an indirect solar hot water system with a heat exchanger wrapped around the inner cylinder as part of the solar storage tank design. The vitreous enamel lined solar storage tank is installed on the roof directly coupled to the solar collectors. This water heater is designed to be installed as an electric boosted solar water heater with its booster heating unit connected to a power supply, however it may be installed with an in-series continuous flow or storage booster.
The solar water heater uses the thermosiphon principle, without the need for a pump, circulator or sensors. The solar collectors absorb solar energy. The low-iron content solar glass allows more solar energy to pass through and be used to heat the collector‟s absorber plate than conventional glass.
Space saving roof mount design
Reliable, low maintenance operation
Eligible for Government rebates and incentives
Energy Efficient – cuts water heating energy use by up to 87%^
* The suggested price is comprised of RRP less the applicable solar incentive and excluding installation. Solar incentive value applies to 52C300/NPT solar hot water system in Zone 3.
^ Energy savings of up to 60% shown are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling of a Rheem 52C300/2NPT and using a medium 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.
† Rheem Warranty Details: 5/3/1 warranty; 5 year cylinder and collectors supply, 3 year parts, 1 year labour.
How Roof Top Solar Systems Work
Solar Operation
52C300 series solar water heater is an indirect solar hot water system with a heat exchanger wrapped around the inner cylinder as part of the solar storage tank design. The vitreous enamel lined solar storage tank is installed on the roof directly coupled to the solar collectors. The heat exchanger and solar collectors are connected by copper pipe work and form a closed circuit which is filled with closed circuit fluid.
The closed circuit fluid is a solution of a blue, non-toxic food grade propylene glycol heat transfer fluid concentrate mixed with water. The heat transfer fluid concentrate is used to lower the freezing temperature of the closed circuit fluid and provides protection against freezing. The closed circuit also provides protection to the solar collectors and solar pipe work against harsh water chemistry.
The solar water heater uses the thermosiphon principle, without the need for a pump, circulator or sensors. The solar collectors absorb solar energy. The low-iron content solar glass allows more solar energy to pass through and be used to heat the collector‟s absorber plate than conventional glass. As the closed circuit fluid gains the sun‟s heat from the absorber, the increase in temperature causes the fluid to rise through the fluid ways and up into the heat exchanger where it transfers its heat into the water in the solar storage tank. This allows cooler fluid from the heat exchanger to flow into the solar collectors to be heated by the sun‟s energy.
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.
solar boosting
In-Tack boosting
An isolating switch is installed in the electrical meter box for an electrically in-tank boosted model. This should be left switched on to allow the booster heating unit to operate if required. The booster heating unit is for heating the water at times of low solar energy gain, such as during very cloudy or rainy weather, or during the colder months. The booster heating unit will only activate if heating is required and power is available from the switchboard. When the water is below the thermostat setting, the booster heating unit will turn on and heat the water. The booster heating unit will automatically turn off when the temperature of the water reaches the thermostat setting. If the water temperature drops below the setting again the booster will re-activate.
In-Series Gas Boosting
An in-series gas booster (also known as a continuous flow 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.