Trying to put together solar water heating system

[oliverbutthead]

Hello I am new to all this and have been trying to research puting together a small hot water heating system. I live in far West TX where the sun shines most of the time but 6K in elevation and it can drop down to 0 at times as well as stay below freezing for good lengths of time in the winter. I am trying to put together an inexpensive system and it does not need to be very big. I have a regular 20 gal electric water heater. My current idea is for a 4'x7' panel to circulate glycol through and into a copper coil that hooks into the existing electric heating element hole in water heater. Would this work well or do I need to look at other alternatives?

Thanks for any help

[ChrisJ]

For great DIY ideas see Builditsolar website.

Chris

[kmb1127]

xxxxxxx he has some in expensive units

Mod note - do not name suppliers - keep in mind that our sponsor is a solar supplier

[Cary Karen]

Hello I am new to all this and have been trying to research puting together a small hot water heating system. I live in far West TX where the sun shines most of the time but 6K in elevation and it can drop down to 0 at times as well as stay below freezing for good lengths of time in the winter. I am trying to put together an inexpensive system and it does not need to be very big. I have a regular 20 gal electric water heater. My current idea is for a 4'x7' panel to circulate glycol through and into a copper coil that hooks into the existing electric heating element hole in water heater. Would this work well or do I need to look at other alternatives?

Thanks for any help

Actually, I don't have any idea about this matter But All I can try to contact some expert about this kind of problem or try to research to the internet so that you will determine what you are looking for.

[bonaire]

What is your electric rate there per kWh? Is it a problem or a nice to have? Do you use hot water later in the day or earlier? Might be better to look at natural gas or propane on demand systems such as Noritz.

[Cary Karen]

Hello I am new to all this and have been trying to research puting together a small hot water heating system. I live in far West TX where the sun shines most of the time but 6K in elevation and it can drop down to 0 at times as well as stay below freezing for good lengths of time in the winter. I am trying to put together an inexpensive system and it does not need to be very big. I have a regular 20 gal electric water heater. My current idea is for a 4'x7' panel to circulate glycol through and into a copper coil that hooks into the existing electric heating element hole in water heater. Would this work well or do I need to look at other alternatives?

Thanks for any help

There are some kind of solar water heating this time and I think this kind of water heater can give you some idea to use it. The most common solar water is active it can give direct circulation system and you can use this kind of solar water heating in order you to have a good heat water which is
what you looking for specially on winter days.