Solar hot water panel

The construction of a solar hot water panel helps to understand how it is possible to heat water with the Sun.

The basic principle is to circulate water in a black pipe placed behind a glass exposed to the Sun. Thanks to the greenhouse effect and the black colour that absorbs most of the Sun's rays, it is possible to reach high temperatures, enough to produce our domestic hot water.

This model works by thermosiphon. The expansion of the heated water in the circuit creates a continuous flow of water without the need of electric pumps.

This project shows that there is alternative energy sources that can replace oil or natural gas. By using the Sun instead of them or by combining it with them, we can reduce our use of fossil fuels and minimise our pollution.