Starlite Series Flat Plate Solar Collectors

A flat plate collector like the Starlite Series uses a glazed, insulated panel with an absorber plate inside. An evacuated tube collector uses a series of glass tubes with a vacuum inside to reduce heat loss. Flat plate collectors generally perform better in consistently sunny climates and are more durable in high-wind or hail-prone areas due to their solid tempered glass construction. Evacuated tubes can have an efficiency advantage in very cold climates where ambient heat loss is a larger factor. For most residential and commercial solar hot water installations in the United States, a properly sized flat plate system delivers reliable performance and a lower maintenance profile over the system's life.

Yes. Flat plate solar collectors produce output any time there is solar radiation, including on overcast days, though output is reduced compared to full sun. In cold climates, closed-loop systems using a glycol antifreeze solution protect the collector and plumbing from freezing while still transferring heat to the domestic water supply. The Starlite Series is rated for operating temperatures up to 400°F and wind and snow loads up to ±90 psf, which covers most U.S. climate conditions.

The number of collectors depends on your household's daily hot water demand, your geographic location's solar resource, and the size of collector you select. As a general starting point, a typical single-family home in a moderate climate requires one to two collectors to cover the majority of its daily hot water load. Homes with higher demand, larger families, or locations with less annual sun may require additional collectors. We size every system to the property's actual load rather than a general estimate, so contact us before finalizing your system design.

Flat plate solar thermal collectors can be incorporated into solar combi systems that provide both domestic hot water and space heating support. These systems are more complex to design and require additional storage capacity and system controls. If you are interested in a combined solar hot water and space heating system, contact us to discuss whether your property's solar resource and heating load make a combi system a practical option.

Flat plate solar collectors require minimal maintenance under normal operating conditions. The primary maintenance tasks are periodic inspection of the glazing for damage, checking fluid levels and glycol concentration in closed-loop systems, and verifying that the pump, controller, and sensors are functioning correctly. AET collectors are designed for a 20-year-plus service life, and the sealed aluminum frame and EPDM glazing seal are built to hold up without frequent servicing. Your installer can provide a recommended maintenance schedule based on your specific system configuration.

In most installations, your existing water heater remains in the system as a backup to cover demand on days when solar output is insufficient to meet your full hot water load. The solar system handles the majority of heating under normal conditions, and the backup heater activates only when needed. This keeps you covered year-round without relying entirely on solar availability.