Product Specifications and Design Guide

Evacuated tube collectors

ESC V6
ESC V12
ESC V18
With galvanised steel installation systems
General information
• Collectors should be aligned such that they face south where possible.
• Generally, the manifold is always to be installed uppermost.
• A minimum slope of 15° is required for installation on roofs, as well as on flat roofs, to facilitate self-cleaning.
• Do not remove the white protective sheet from the evacuated tubes until after the solar energy system has
been commissioned.
• In the solar circuit, use brazed joints or olive connections only.
• Thermally insulate the pipes in accordance with the German Heating Installations Ordinance HeizAnlV.
Ensure that the pipes are heat resistant (150°C) and UV resistant (pipes laid outdoors).
• Fill the solar energy system with “Tyfocor-LS” heat transfer medium only.
• The evacuated tube collectors are hail resistant in accordance with DIN EN 12975-2. However, we recom-
mend including storm and hail damage in your building insurance. Our materials guarantee does not cover
such damage.
• Work must comply with the relevant safety standards of DIN, DIN EN, DVGW, TRF and VDE.
• Solar collectors require registration or permits in accordance with the corresponding valid state regulations.
• Installation, maintenance and repairs must be carried out by authorised service personnel.
• The pipework of the solar circuit in the lower part of the building must be bonded as specified by VDE.
The solar energy system may only be connected to existing or new lightning protection systems or
equipotential bonding by authorised service personnel.

The respective state’s specific standards and safety regulations must be adhered to.
Carefully read through these planning instructions.

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Standards, regulations and EC directives
Regulation Name
Roof-mounting
DIN 18338 VOB 1): Roof covering and sealing work
DIN 18339 VOB 1): Plumbing work
DIN 18451 VOB 1): Scaffolding work
DIN 1055 Design loads for structures
Connection of thermal solar energy systems
DIN EN 12975-1 Thermal solar systems and components - Collectors -
part 1: General requirements
DIN EN 12976-1 Thermal solar systems and components - Custom-built systems -
part 1: General requirements; German version
DIN V ENV 12977-1 Thermal solar systems and components - Collectors -
part 1: General requirements; German version
DIN 4757-1 Solar heating systems with water or water mixes as heat transfer media;
Safety design requirements
DIN 4757-2 Solar heating systems with organic heat transfer media;
Safety design requirements
Installation and equipping of water heaters
DIN 1988 Technical rules for drinking water supply systems (TRWI)
DIN 4753-1 Water heaters and water heating systems for drinking and process water;
Requirements, marking, equipment and inspection
DIN 18380 VOB 1): Heating systems and central water heating systems
DIN 18381 VOB 1): Gas, water and sewage installation work in building interiors
DIN 18421 VOB 1): Insulation works on technical installations
AVB 2) Water
DVGW W 551 Drinking water heating and piping systems;
Technical measures to prevent the growth of legionella
Electrical connection
DIN VDE 0100 Installation of power installations with rated voltages of up to 1000 V
DIN VDE 0185 Lightning protection system
VDE 0190 Main equipotential bonding of electrical systems
DIN VDE 0855 Antenna systems - to be applied correspondingly
DIN 18382 VOB 1): Electrical cabling and conduit systems in buildings
Important regulations for the installation of solar collector systems
1)
VOB German construction contracting regulations – part C: General technical contract conditions for construction work
2)
Tender templates for construction work in the area of building construction, with particular reference to residential construction

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Benefits and advantages

Intelligent design and installation:

• Suitable for installation on pitched roofs, flat roofs, walls, free-standing and facade installation.
• For heating drinking water and heating water for partial solar heating and swimming pool water,
as well as for solar cooling.
• Great flexibility due to collector units of different widths.
• Up to 15 m2 can be connected in series.
• Exceptional design.
• Quick installation thanks to completely pre-assembled collector units and simple, flexible on-roof and
flat roof installation sets.
• Simple connection technology for adding multiple collectors beside one another with pre-installed screw
fittings. No additional piping or thick insulation required.
• The flow and return pipe can be connected to the collector either on the left or on the right.
• Tubes can be replaced without draining the collector circuit - “dry connection”.
• Simple connection of hydraulic connecting lines with olive connection technology.

Reliability:
• High reliability and long service life via the use of high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials such as thick
borosilicate glass, copper and anti-corrosion coated aluminium.
• Permanent vacuum seal of the tubes thanks to pure glass bonds without glass-metal transitions.
Pure glass-glass composite, thermos flask principle.
• High reliability due to dry connection of the evacuated tubes to the solar circuit.

Recycling:
Fully recyclable thanks to easy-to-dismantle design and re-usable materials.

Energy yield and performance:

• Extremely high energy yield with small gross surface of the collectors.
• Circular absorber surface guarantees that each individual tube is always optimally aligned with the sun.
• Exceptionally high solar coverage rates are possible.
• High efficiency via highly-selective coating on absorber.
• The evacuated tubes reduce thermal losses of a solar collector as there is no air in the vacuum which could
transport the heat from the surface of the absorber to the outer glass tube which is affected by the weather.
• The heat transfer medium flows directly through the tubes without an intermediate heat exchanger in the
collector.
• The circular absorber collects both the direct and diffuse solar irradiation optimally at all times.
• The CPC reflector and direct flow through the evacuated tubes make a significant contribution to an extremely
high energy yield.
• Optimal thermal insulation via a vacuum, which results in high efficiency, particularly in winter and at low
irradiation.
• Unused excesses in the summer are lower than with flat plate collectors. At the same time, the yield in
winter is significantly higher.
• It is also ideal for low-flow systems with stratified charging and heating support.

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Structure and function of the collectors

Historic roots - the invention of the thermos flask

The Scottish Physicist James Dewar invented a double-walled vessel with a vacuum-insulated cavity in 1893 -
the thermos flask.
Emmet developed the first evacuated tubes based on the thermos flask principle to utilise solar energy in 1909.
His patents from this time still form the basis for state-of-the-art evacuated tube technology.
The efficiency of this old and familiar thermos flask technology did not reach a high standard until state-of-the-art
coating technologies and highly-selective coatings were applied.

Today’s technology
ECOTHERM evacuated tube collectors consist of 3 main components which are completely pre-assembled:

• evacuated tubes,
• CPC reflectors
• and the manifold with the heat conduction unit

Evacuated tubes
The evacuated tube is a product which has been optimised in terms of geometry and performance.
Evacuated tubes consist of two concentric glass tubes which are sealed in a semi-circular shape on one
side and are joined to one another on the other side. The space between the tubes is evacuated and then
hermetically sealed (evacuated insulation).
To use solar energy, the internal glass tube is coated with an environmentally friendly, highly selective layer on
the outside, thus turning it into an absorber. This coating is thus protected in the vacuum cavity. The aluminium
nitrite sputter coating used is characterised by extremely low emissions and excellent absorption.

Copper pipe / stainless steel pipe

Heat transfer plate

Absorber coating

Evacuated tube

CPC reflector

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

The CPC reflector
To increase the efficiency of evacuated tube collectors, a highly reflective, weather-proof CPC (Compound
Parabolic Concentrator) is fitted behind the evacuated tubes. The reflector geometry guarantees that direct
and diffuse sunlight strikes the absorber, even when the angles of irradiation are unfavourable.
This significantly improves the energy yield of a solar collector.
Unfavourable angles of irradiation are caused by light striking the collector at an angle (azimuth angle)
(mounting surface does not face south, solar movement from east to west, diffuse irradiation).

e.g. direct solar irradiation

e.g. angled, direct solar irradiation

e.g. diffuse solar irradiation

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Manifold and heat conduction unit
The manifold contains the insulated collecting and distributing pipes.
The flow and return pipe can be connected on the left or on the right, as selected.
Each evacuated tube contains a direct flow U-shaped pipe which is connected to the collecting or distributing
pipe such that each individual evacuated tube has the same hydraulic resistance. This U-shaped pipe is pressed
against the inside of the evacuated tube with the heat transfer plate.

Flow/return Sensor immersion Collecting pipe / Thermal insulation Manifold

connection sleeve distributing pipe

U-pipe CPC reflector Heat transfer plate Evacuated tube

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Technical data

Technical specifications for ESC V6/ V12/ V18

Series ESC V6 ESC V12 ESC V18

Number of evacuated tubes 6 12 18
η0 (aperture), DIN 4757-4 or EN 12975 % 64.2 64.2 64.2
c1 with wind, in relation to aperture W/(m2k) 0.89 0.89 0.89
c2 with wind, in relation to aperture W/(m2k2) 0.001 0.001 0.001
Kθ,trans (50°), in relation to aperture 1 1 1
Kθ,long (50°), in relation to aperture 0.9 0.9 0.9
Yield forecast kWh/m2a 589 589 589
Grid dimensions
(length x height x depth) m 0.70 x 1.64 x 0.1 1.39 x 1.64 x 0.1 2.08 x 1.64 x 0.1
Gross surface area m2 1.14 2.28 3.41
Aperture area m2 1.0 2.0 3.0
Collector contents - OEM I 0.8 1.6 2.4
Collector contents - INOX I 0.9 1.8 2.6
Weight - OEM kg 19 37 54
Weight - INOX kg 19 35 52
Max. permitted operating overpressure bar 10 10 10
Max. stagnation temperature °C 272 272 272
Connection width, flow/return mm 15 15 15
Collector material - OEM Al / Cu / glass / silicone / PBT / EPDM / TE
Collector material - INOX Al / stainless steel / glass / silicone / PBT / EPDM / TE
Glass tube material borosilicate glass 3.3
Selective absorber coating material aluminium nitrite
Glass tube,
(Ø ext./Ø int./wall thickn./tube lgth.) mm 47/37/1.6/1500
OEM colour
(aluminium frame profile, anodised) aluminium grey
INOX colour
(aluminium frame profile, powder-coated) RAL 7015
Colour (plastic parts) black
Thermal shock test ITW test number 06COL513/1
Hailstone test according to
DIN EN 12975-2 TÜV test number 435/142448
EC type examination - INOX TÜV test number Z-IS-DDK-MUC-07-08-100029919-001
EC type examination - OEM TÜV test number Z-IS-DDK-MUC-07-08-100029919-003
DIN CERTCO registration number 011-7S113R and 001-7S134R
Heat transfer medium Tyfocor LS

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Pressure loss

Pressure loss of the tube collectors ESC V6/ V12/ V18

Heat transfer medium: Tyfocor LS; medium temperature medium: 40°C

120

100

80

60 ESC V18
ESC V12
ESC V6

40

20

0
0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1 1,25 1,5 1,75 2 2,25 2,5 2,75 3 3,25 3,5 3,75 4 4,25 4,5 4,75 5

Flow rate [l/min]

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

 Heat output

The collector output is calculated based on the collector efficiency ( ) depending on the strength of the
irradiation (G*) and the aperture area per collector unit (A). It provides information on the thermal output of
the collector at a specific irradiation strength. The following equation is used to calculate the collector output:

with:

If the difference between the collector temperature and the ambient temperature ( ) is zero,
the collector has zero heat loss to the surrounding air and the efficiency is maximum;
this is known as optical efficiency .
Part of the solar irradiation (G*) which strikes the collectors is “lost” due to reflection and absorption.
The optical efficiency takes these losses into consideration.

When the collectors heat up, they dissipate heat to the surrounding area via conduction,
radiation and convection. The heat transmission coefficient a1 and a2 incorporate these losses.

The almost horizontal power curves mean that CPC collectors generate high outputs even at great temperature
differences between the collector temperature and the ambient temperature, in contrast to flat plate collectors.

Power curve of the ESC V6 /V12 /V18 tube collectors

at an irradiation G* of 1000 W/m2

3.000

Power curve (G* = 1000 W/m )

2.500
Power output per collector unit[W]

ESC V18
ESC V12
ESC V6
2.000

1.500

1.000

500

0
0 20 40 60 80 100

( ϑ − ϑ ) [K ]
m a

ESC V18

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

In general, less solar irradiation is available for use as solar energy (for water heating and heating support) in the
six winter months and in transitional periods (e.g. 400 W/m2). The temperature differences between the collector
temperature and the ambient temperature are also very high due to the low temperatures outside.
The following tables (source: ITW test report number 06COL513) give an exact overview of how the collector
output changes depending on the radiation strength and temperature difference. The values specified are for
vertical irradiation.

Power output per collector unit [W] for ESC V6

Irradiance
400 W/m 2
700 W/m2 1000 W/m2
0 257 449 642
10 248 440 633
30 229 422 615
50 210 403 595

Power output per collector unit [W] for ESC V12

Irradiance
400 W/m 2
700 W/m2 1000 W/m2
0 514 899 1284
10 496 881 1266
30 459 844 1229
50 420 805 1191

Power output per collector unit [W] for ESC V18

Irradiance
400 W/m 2
700 W/m2 1000 W/m2
0 768 1344 1920
10 741 1317 1893
30 686 1262 1838
50 628 1204 1780

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Notes on solar controllers

The solar controllers for tube collector systems should have a “push-start” function. This “push-start” function
prevents excessive temperature differences between the temperature measured at the collector sensor and the
temperature in the lower/middle part of the tubes. The “push-start” (activation) of the pump is to be started
approx. two to three times per minute for approx. 3-5 seconds when a temperature increase is detected at the
collector sensor to pump the hotter solar fluid to the measuring point.

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Design of the collector connection lines
An average throughput of 30 - 40 l/h per m2 of aperture area (approx. 0.5 - 0.7 l/min per m2) can be assumed
when selecting the piping dimensions. We recommend low-flow operation for large-scale solar energy systems,
as the specific flow rate can be reduced to 12 - 18 l/h m2 (approx. 0.2 - 0.3 l/min per m2). In order to keep piping
work to a minimum, we recommend that you connect max. 9.0 m2 (high-flow) and 15 m2 (low-flow) of collector
aperture area in series. In order to minimise the pressure loss due to the solar energy system piping, the flow
speed in the copper piping should not exceed 1 m/s. We recommend flow speeds of between 0.3 and 0.5 m/s.
The cross sections should be dimensioned in accordance with throughput and speed as in a standard heating
system. We recommend that you use standard copper piping and gunmetal fittings when installing the collectors.
The connection points of the pipes should be brazed or connected using olive connections due to the high
stagnation temperatures. No galvanised pipes, galvanised fittings or graphite seals may be used. Hemp may
only be used in conjunction with pressure and temperature resistant sealant. The components used must be
resistant to the heat transfer medium. The thermal insulation of pipes outdoors must be temperature and UV
radiation-resistant and resistant to bird damage.

Guidelines for selecting pipe diameter dimensions

for series connection of ESC V6 / V12 / V18 collectors and a pump with a head height of max. 6 m.
High-flow
Aperture area m2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Flow rate litres/min 1.5 2.5 3 3.5 3.5 4 4 4.5
Copper pipe dimensions 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 15 x 1 15 x 1 15 x 1 15 x 1 18 x 1

Low-flow
Aperture area m2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Flow rate litres/min 1.5 1.5 1.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 2.5
Copper pipe dimensions 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1 12 x 1

Aperture area m2 13 14 15
Flow rate litres/min 3 3 3.5
Copper pipe dimensions 12 x 1 12 x 1 15 x 1

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Connection options

Legend
Corrugated hose return (cold)

Corrugated hose flow (hot) with collector sensor

Connection options for 1 collector

Caution: Sensor is positioned on the flow side (hot).

Connection options for 2 or more adjacent collectors

Caution: Sensor is positioned on the flow side (hot).

Reverse connection of the

flow direction is possible.

Connection options for 2 or more collectors above one another

Caution: Sensor is positioned on the flow side (hot).

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Connection options for 1 or 2 adjacent collectors and 2 or 3 collectors above one another
Caution: Sensor is positioned on the flow side (hot).

Note!
In order to facilitate bleeding
and equalise the collector
arrays, one shut-off ball valve
should be built into each outlet.

Connection options for 1 or 2 adjacent series connections and

multiple series connections above one another
Caution: Sensor is positioned on the flow side (hot).

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Sample system

Sample system for solar water heating

A A) Collector
B) Gate valve
C) Non-return valve
D) Solar pump
E) Flow regulation valve
N F) Pressure gauge
F G G) Safety valve
H) Blow-off tank
B B I I) Primary shutoff ET
Flow J) Expansion tank
C
Return H K) De-aerator
D J
B L) Filling fitting
M E
K M) Gravity loop to prevent
microcirculation in the pipeline
N) Hot water storage tank
L

Sample system for solar water heating with heating support

P
Q

R
O
S

O) Primary tank
P) Heat generator
Q) Heating circuit
R) Buffer storage tank with
integrated hot water storage
tank S)

For solar energy systems with heating support, we recommend that you install a primary tank. Solar energy
systems which are too large for the six summer months often stagnate, i.e. the membrane of the expansion
tank is protected by the cold primary content of the primary tank.

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide
Space requirement for flat roofs
The ESC V6 / V12 / V18 evacuated tube collector can be installed on flat roofs, on slightly sloping
roofs (up to 20°) or in gardens. The spacing between the angle frames must also be adhered to on sloping
roofs. It may be necessary to add auxiliary rafters. If applicable, a stress analysis is to be carried out on the
substructure.

Space requirements for a single-row collector array:

A B

Dimension A according to number of collectors

Number of collectors ESC V6 / V12 / V18
6 12 18
(m) (m) (m)
1 0.70 1.40 2.10
2 1.40 2.80 4.20
3 2.15 4.20 6.30
4 2.85 5.60 8.35
5 3.55 7.00 10.45
6 4.25 8.40 12.55

Dim. B and C according to installation angle

ESC V6 / V12 / V18
Installation angle (m)
Dim. B 30° 1.44
Dim. B 45° 1.20
Dim. C 30° 1.04
Dim. C 45° 1.35

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Weight and positioning of the concrete slabs

Note!
Flat roofs covered with gravel:
clear gravel from the area where
the concrete slabs are to be
placed.
Flat roofs with plastic roof sheet-
ing: place the concrete slabs on
protective overlays (building
protection mats, pos.1).

Arrange the concrete slabs as

B shown in the figure to the left.

ESC V6 / V12 / V18

6 12 18
Dim. A (m) 0.55 1.10 1.40
Dim. B 30° (m) 1.23
Dim. B 45° (m) 0.92

Building height of up to 8 m
Collector type Number Angle Required weight Required weight
of the angle of the of the front of the rear
frames frame concrete slab concrete slab
ESC V6 V12 V18 2 30° 75 kg 75 kg
ESC V6 V12 V18 2 45° 75 kg 75 kg

Building height of up to 20 m
Collector type Number Angle Required weight Required weight
of the angle of the of the front of the rear
frames frame concrete slab concrete slab
ESC V6 V12 V18 2 30° 112 kg 112 kg
ESC V6 V12 V18 2 45° 112 kg 112 kg

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide

Specifications

The flow or return pipe can be con-

nected to the collector on the left
or on the right, as selected.
The connection is made using pre-
mounted 15 mm olive connections.
Reducing fittings to 12 mm are
available in the accessory connection
sets.

One integrated sensor immersion

sleeve is available on each collector
connection side. The sensor is always
located on the hot flow side.

Upon delivery, the collector is covered

by a sun protection sheet. This facili-
tates trouble-free commissioning of
the solar energy system even in strong
sunlight. It prevents the heat transfer
medium being vaporised, rendering
commissioning impossible. Remove
the sun protection sheet after commis-
sioning.

The collector must be commis-

sioned 4 weeks after installation
at the latest .

ECOTHERM / 2011 ESC V6/ V12 / V18 design guide