Flow and return for solar panels

[larrylamb11]

I am working on designing a new central heating system as a DIYer... working on first fix. I am trying to think about future needs and proofing and having looked at a number of options, it looks like the only viable 'alternative' option in our application is likely to be solar panels as we have south facing roof pitches.
While I have wall 'skeletons' and the opportunity to run additional pipes under the floors etc. I want to run some pipes which I might hook up to a solar panel in the future - what size flow and returns should I be using for solar panels? The boiler has 1 in. BSP flow and returns to the cylinder.

 

[sambotc]

One panel would be fine on 15mm.

Really you want a solar cylinder though which has a differant coil (15mm connections)

Also the solar circuit doesn't contain heating water, its a glycol based solution.

Don't forget, no soft soldered joints, use compression.

HTH Sam

 

[ajstoneservices]

Collector area and cylinder size will depend on number of occupants and water use.

Pipe size will depend on the lenght of run and the solar collectors you choose, some require higher flow rates or have higher pressure loss than others. On heatpipe collectors with upto 15m runs and 4m2 collectors we would be happy to use 10mm copper. Direct flow systems with similar pipe runs would need 15mm copper or DN16 flexi.

Most solar cylinders have 22mm connection ready to take flat face fittings for flexible stainless pipe, typically DN16.