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Stylized Text: Resources - Solar Thermal Manual.

This is the manual to be used in the State of Florida's
Solar Contractor Test

Design and Installation & Repair and Maintenance

The intent of this manual is to equip the reader with the knowledge and skills needed to design, install, operate and maintain the most common types of solar water heating systems.

The manual presents an overview of solar thermal applications, provides basic information on the principles of solar energy, reviews solar thermal technologies, and provides detailed instruction on the safe, efficient installation of solar water heating and pool heating systems. The manual is divided into six sections, with each separated into individual modules.

The manual is broken down into various sections. For ease of downloading, these sections are provided below in PDF format. Go to Adobe© Acrobat© Reader™ to obtain a free version of the Reader™ that will enable you to open PDF files. These are large files, so be patient during the download.

Section 1: Solar Concepts provides an introduction, table of contents, and a basic understanding of solar thermal concepts.

Section 2: Solar Water Heating Systems focuses on what are commonly called solar domestic hot water systems, which heat water.

Section 3: System Installation covers the steps involved in installing a solar water heating system.

Section 4: Troubleshooting presents structured methods to follow in diagnosing and correcting solar water heating system problems.

Section 5: Solar Swimming Pool Heating Systems is devoted to solar systems that provide heat for swimming pools.

The Appendix includes the following

  • Crome Dome Collector Siting Aid
  • FSEC Simplified Sizing Procedures for Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
  • Electric Water Heater Circuitry
  • Volt-Ohmmeter (VOM) or Multimeter Operation
  • Solar System Flow Rates
  • Tools for Service and Repair

"This document is protected by U.S. copyright, 2006, University of Central Florida. Permission is granted to reproduce all or part of this document for private and scholarly use provided appropriate credit is given. All other rights are reserved. No part of this document may be sold or distributed for commercial purposes without license from the University of Central Florida, 12443 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826."