ProgressivTube®
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Easy to Install Do-It-Yourself Kits
An average skilled handy person can easily manage a new installation, a custom installation, or a basic replacement panel change-out. Only basic hand tools are necessary.
Click here for sizing information
Standard, Deluxe, or Premium System Complete Kits offer an easy to read installation manual with step-by-step diagrams for a hassle-free installation.
Read Installation Manual PDF
• Proper kit selection supported by customer service agent
• Installation supported by solar engineer tech assistance
Standard/Direct Kit
ProgressiveTube system uses a stand-alone configuration as the single source for providing hot water.
Function: When hot water is required, solar heated water is drawn from the collector unit and distributed directly to the points-of-use.
Applications: Best suited for use in equatorial and tropical type climates where hot-to-very-hot temperatures exist year round
(such as the Caribbean, Central Africa, northern South American) and conventional water heaters are rarely used, or electrical power
is unavailable - but free hot water is desired or required.
Performance: Hot water output is dependant on available solar radiation, and may be temporarily interrupted by inclement weather.
Control Valve: No control valve is necessary.
Note: If a conventional gas or electric heater is already in operation, is required, or will be installed in the future, please review the Deluxe or Premium Kits.
Deluxe/2-Way Kit
ProgressiveTube system used in conjunction with a conventional water heater, or an instantaneous water heater.
Function: When hot water is required, solar heated water is drawn from the unit directly into a conventional or tankless water heater, thus eliminating or reducing electricity or gas usage required for heating water. Hot water is then distributed directly to the points-
of-use. The water heater must remain turned on to provide backup heat as required, and to maintain a ready supply of hot water.
Applications: Well suited for use in tropical, sub-tropical "SunBelt", and temperate type climates where mild-to-hot temperatures exist year round and conventional water heaters are always used - and free hot water is desired or required.
Performance: Hot water output is dependant on available solar radiation. Backup provides constant supply when solar performance is temporarily interrupted by inclement weather.
Control Valve: A manual 2-Way plumbing configuration allows for isolation of the ProgressivTube system for maintenance or winterizing, and is typically adjusted on a seasonal basis only.
• Simplified connections to any water heater reduces installation's labor time and/or need for custom engineering inside of structure.
Premium/3-Way Kit
ProgressiveTube system used in conjunction with a conventional water heater, or an instantaneous water heater.
Function: When hot water is required, solar heated water is drawn from the unit directly into a conventional or tankless water heater, thus eliminating or reducing electricity or gas usage required for heating water. Hot water is then distributed directly to the points-
of-use. The water heater must remain turned on only when in the backup mode to provide heat as required, and to maintain a ready supply of hot water.
Applications: Well suited for use in tropical, sub-tropical "SunBelt", and temperate type climates where mild-to-hot temperatures exist year round and conventional water heaters are always used - and free hot water is desired or required. It allows the selection of direct solar or solar with backup heater.
Performance: Hot water output is dependant on available solar radiation. Backup provides constant supply when solar performance is temporarily interrupted by inclement weather.
Control Valve: A manual 3-Way plumbing configuration allows
direct operation during periods when there is sufficient solar energy and no backup is required, and is typically adjusted when sporadic inclement weather conditions reduce solar effectiveness.
This maximizes overall operating efficiency and eliminates standby heat loss from the backup heater. The valves also allow for isolation of the ProgressivTube for maintenance or winterizing.
• Simplified connections to any water heater reduces installation's labor time and/or need for custom engineering inside of structure.
Single Collector Panel
Does not include any plumbing or control components [purchased separately in the Parts & Supplies section].
It is intended for:
. Add-on collector panels to Standard, Deluxe, or Premium System
. Kits when additional panels are desired to increase capacity
. Large commercial projects requiring multiple collector panels
. Replacement change-out of damaged or obsolete collector panels
. Custom applications requiring only the use of collector panels
Quick Sizing Guide
Size varies widely with lifestyle (from 10 to 30 gallons or more per person) and with season (most people take longer and hotter showers in the winter). For situations involving small families in large house, the number of bedrooms should be considered in sizing a solar water heater. A system sized to meet the needs of two people in a five bedroom house today will most likely be inadequate for a family of five living in the same house tomorrow.
Family Size |
PT20 |
PT30 |
PT40 |
PT50 |
PT60 |
PT80 |
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6+ |
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See detailed sizing information