Propylene Glycol For Solar Panels
Glycol water mixtures glycol water mixtures have a 50 50 or 60 40 glycol to water ratio.
Propylene glycol for solar panels. The process of filling the plumbing system with this antifreeze while purging all the air out must be done systematically and in the right order. Propylene glycol pg has become the most common heat transfer fluid used in closed loop solar heating systems that contain antifreeze. Antifreeze fluids degrade over time and normally should be changed every 3 5 years. The glycol is a clear red fluorescent liquid with a faint odor based on physiologically unobjectionable propylene glycol and water.
For solar thermal applications mixtures based on propylene glycol or the green glycol are recommended. The renewable green alternative to ethylene or propylene glycol has a slower thermal degradation rate than both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol and outperforms propylene glycol s viscosity at lower temperatures. The industry standard for solar fluid is a mix of propylene glycol and water. Prosol l ht is a clear yellow colored practically odorless liquid based on virgin not recycled propylene glycol water and specially designed industrial package of liquid inhibitors it has been designed specifically for use as a heat transfer fluid in solar thermal systems operating under elevated thermal conditions vacuum tube collectors.
Hydronic heating systems must be filled with water to provide the heat transfer fluid htf that makes them work. This glycol is completely non toxic safe for all types of solar heating applications and is made from sustainable bio based raw materials. The spp corn glycol is specifically designed for chillers radiant heating air to water hydronic heat pump and solar thermal applications such as solar hot water or solar space heating. It s non toxic biodegradable and relatively stable.
However you should always mix as much water as possible with your choice of glycol product as simple water is the ideal solar fluid. It has a long track record over many decades in this application and is widely available from a number of sources. In the case of the closed loop solar heating system the htf is typically a mixture of water and propylene glycol. Pipes within the solar panels will transfer hot water from the panels to a water storage tank or when a transfer liquid is used the transfer fluid which is contained in a.
Ethylene and propylene glycol are antifreezes these mixtures provide effective freeze protection as long as the proper antifreeze concentration is maintained. When commissioning a pressurized glycol solar hot water system it is essential that all the air in the solar loop is removed.