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Over in the UK they have solar panels (thermal panels with tubes for water heating) that mount directly on the roof decking and flash into the roofing just like a roof window:
http://www.imaginationsolar.com/solarp.htm
I also have a PDF file from Velux/UK (in French!) that shows a similar (or same?) product that is designed in sizes to match Velux roof windows. In turn, can make a very sleek design mixing woof windows and panels next to each other.
I’ve seen plenty of panels that mount to various brackets and sit just *above* the roof, but these all require the panels to be removed to re-roof.
In turn, I have seen used panels for sale in the local want ads as home owners are facing re-roofing a house that had panels added back in the 1970’s, and are get quotes from roofing contractors who want nothing to do with moving the panels. So sadly this leaves the home owner frustrated with the “stupid” solar panels and they just yank them off. Which is silly since at this point the panels are long since paid for and the hot water generated really is “free”.
Short of going to the UK, anyone ever used the roof integrated panels around the US?
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roof integrated is all we did from '75 to '85...
*Good to know. What brand(s) of panels did you use at that time? Did they include flashing, or did you make up your own on site as you laid the shingles?
*we made our own hot air collectors.. the glazing was 4x10 solar glass (low iron content)... the frames were extruded aluminum shapes.. and all the flashing was ours... very similar to site -built skylights
*Mike, where would one find the extruded aluminum shapes? My dad has an integrated solar hot water collector, but wood framed so every year someone has to climb up and caulk the thing.How do you "collect" hot air? Passively or with fans and ducts?Hi Jim, welcome to Breaktime!Mike
*mike , we've done business with these guys since '74..Solar Components Corp, Manchester, N.H.http://www.solar-components.com/default.htmhot air collector use blowers and ductwork and mass storage
*Mike S - Thanks for the lead. I assume I could use the same basic parts to build a collector with tubing inside for DHW use.And Mike M, glad to be here -I've been reading (and learning) a whole lot!
*jim... yes you can.. but there is so much solar stuff out there sitting in wharehouses that you can buy it for 50 cents on the dollar compared to you cost of labor & matls...here's one that specializes in new & used..Semco in New Mexico..www.rt66.com/aaasolar
*Hmmm... that URL didn't work. A google search turn upi SEMCO; Business type: manufacturer; Address: 901 21st NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA 87104; Telephone: (505) 247-4522but no web page links. Gosh, I may have to resort to using a telephone...
*here's one that works .. just went there..http://www.thinkenergy.com/trade/te000006.html...i got the previous one off a flyer they sent me...BTW.. i ain't "smitty"
*here's a typical space heating hot air system.. with roof integrated collectors... 36'x 10'..