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Who Are They
 SunEarth Inc., established in California in 1978, manufactures industry standard solar water heating collectors and systems for residential and commercial applications.  Each SunEarth product is carefully engineered for a world market that demands simple, durable, and reliable solar water heating components and integrated systems.  We are dedicated to helping our customers reduce conventional water heating costs while minimizing the environmental pollution associated with burning fossil fuels.  SunEarth's focus is on continually crafting new products and strategies that meet emerging market opportunities for solar thermal products worldwide.

Why Choose SunEarth?
SunEarth designs and builds solar components that survive the world's most challenging climates and environmental conditions. Over the past twenty years we have learned what works and, more importantly, why one product or system is superior to another. This experience is built into every component we sell.  The SunEarth Empire and Imperial solar collectors and CopperHeart ICS systems are manufactured for a thirty-year design life. SunEarth products require little or no maintenance and are backed by a solid ten year warranty. Our collectors and systems are marketed throughout the U.S. and Pacific Basin by a network of leading plumbing and solar wholesale distributors.

                 

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 Imperial Series Flat Plate Collector


Cutaway of Imperial Collector



Imperial Collectors Racked for Commercial Installation

The Imperial is SunEarth's flag ship product.  This collector combines high performance, a sleek profile and extraordinary durability.  The Imperial's "I-Beam" construction makes this collector the perfect choice for areas that may experience very high wind loads. The Imperial 4' X 10' has been wind load tested by the Miami Test Lab to withstand wind loads up to 180 mph.  The heavy extruded anodized aluminum framewall protects this collector in the world's harshest environments.

Collector Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Width (in)

Length (in)

Depth (in)

Gross Area (sq ft)

Dry Weight (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Design Flow (GPM)

ΔP at Design  (psig)

Max Flow  (GPM)

Max Pressure (psig)

Header Width (in)

Header Center to Center (in)

IC/IP24

36 1/4

98 1/8

3 1/4 

24.61

98

0.78

0.62

0.017

12

160

39 3/4 

93 5/8

IC/IP32

48 1/4

98 1/8

3 1/4 

32.79

119

1.00

0.83

0.018

12

160

51 3/8

93 5/8

IC/IP40

48 1/4

122 1/8

3 1/4 

40.81

157

1.20

1.04

0.020

12

160

51 3/8

115 5/8
 Empire Series Flat Plate Collector


Cutaway of Empire Collector


Installation of Empire Collectors on Residence in Boulder CO

The Empire series collectors are our most popular and versatile products. The Empire has the same rated performance as the Imperial, comes in a wider variety of sizes and provides real value for both retrofit and new construction projects where tight budget considerations prevail.

Collector Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Width  (in)

Length  (in)

Depth  (in)

Gross Area  (sq ft)

Dry Weight  (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Design Flow (GPM)

ΔP at Design (psig)

Max Flow   (GPM)

Max Pressure  (psig)

Header Width  (in)

Header Center to Center  (in) 

EC/EP21

40 1/8

76 1/8

3 1/4

21.21

60

0.60

0.51

0.015

12

160

43 3/8

71 1/4

EC/EP24

36 1/8

98 1/4

3 1/4

24.61

80

0.78

0.62

0.017

12

160

39 3/4

93 5/8

EC/EP32

48 1/8

98 1/4

3 1/4

32.79

106

1.00

0.83

0.018

12

160

51 3/8

93 5/8

EC/EP40

48 1/8

122 1/4

3 1/4

40.81

141

1.20

1.04

0.020

12

160

51 3/8

115 5/8
 SunWise Series Flat Plate Collector


Cutaway of SunWise Collector

The SunWise collector is nearly identical to the Empire.  The sole exception is that the collector framewall is not anodized.  The SunWise has an attractive mill finish appearance.  This product is designed for export markets and large commercial projects. 

Collector Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Width (in)

Length (in)

Depth (in)

Gross Area (sq ft)

Dry Weight (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Design Flow (GPM)

ΔP at Design  (psig)

Max Flow  (GPM)

Max Pressure (psig)

Header Width (in)

Header Center to Center (in)

SC/SP20

36 1/8

78 1/4

3 1/4 

19.70

60

0.60

0.51

0.015

12

160

39 3/4 

73 1/2 

SC/SP24

36 1/8

98 1/4

3 1/4 

24.61

80

0.78

0.62

0.017

12

160

39 3/4 

93 5/8

SC/SP32

48 1/8

98 1/4 

3 1/4 

32.79

106

1.00

0.83

0.018

12

160

51 3/8

93 5/8

SC/SP40

48 1/8

122 1/4 

3 1/4 

40.81

141

1.20

1.04

0.020

12

160

51 3/8

115 5/8
 Sunburst & Custom Absorber Plates


Sunburst Absorber Plate

The extraordinary SunBurst all copper absorber plate is the heart of each of the liquid flat plate collectors.  SunEarth manufactures standard  absorbers in five sizes, custom replacement plates, and OEM absorbers to specification.  The combination of 3/8" type M risers and 15% silver brazed joints makes the Sunburst the absorber of choice for solar contractors that repair freeze damage, sediment buildup, or corroded collectors.  Download our custom absorber specification sheet to describe the absorber you need to replace.

Standard SunBurst Plate Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Gross Area  (sq ft) 

Dry Weight  (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Design Flow (GPM)

ΔP at Design (psig) 

Max Flow   (GPM) 

Max Pressure  (psig) 

Header Width  (in) 

Header Center to Center  (in) 

PS/BS21

19.70

18

0.72

0.54

0.015

12

160

43 3/8

71 1/2

PS/BS24

24.61

20

0.78

0.62

0.017

12

160

39 3/4

93 5/8

PS/BS32

32.79

26

1.00

0.83

0.018

12

160

51 3/8

93 5/8

PS/BS40

40.81

33

1.20

1.04

0.020

12

160

51 3/8

115 5/8

PS/BS40-1.5

40.81

36

1.61

1.04

0.020

12

160

51 3/8

115 5/8
Oasis Pool Panels


Oasis Pool Collector

     SunEarth manufactures all copper pool and spa heating collectors under the trade name of Oasis.  The Oasis pool collectors have standard 1.5" headers.

Oasis Pool Panel Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Gross Area  (sq ft) 

Dry Weight  (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Design Flow (GPM)

ΔP at Design (psig) 

Max Flow   (GPM) 

Max Pressure  (psig) 

Header Width  (in) 

Header Center to Center  (in) 

OP-32

30.18

33

1.3

3.2

0.018

12

160

45 1/4

93 3/4

OP-40

37.19

39

1.5

4.0

0.020

12

160

45 1/4

115 7/8

OP-48

45.33

48

1.7

4.8

0.022

12

160

45 1/4

142 5/8
CopperHeart Integral Collector Storage (ICS)


Cutaway of CopperHeart ICS Collector




CopperHeart ICS installed on Residence

The CopperHeart integral collector storage system, or ICS, combines thermal collection and storage in a single unit.  The CopperHeart is designed to meet the international demand for a simple, durable and inexpensive domestic water heating system.  The CopperHeart typically serves as a solar preheater to an existing electric or gas water heater, but may be used as the primary water heater in certain climates.  ICS units are excellent choices for residential new construction in the U.S. Sunbelt or other mild climates that do not experience hard freeze conditions.

Collector Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Width (in)

Length (in)

Depth (in)

Dry Weight (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Wet Weight (lbs)

Gross Area  (sq ft)

Net Aperture  (sq ft)

Max Pressure (psig)

Connection Pipe Dia. (in)

Connection Center to Center
(in)

CP-20

36 1/2

50 1/4

6 7/8

154

20

321

13.90

10.90

120

3/4

29

CP-30

36 1/2

78 1/4 

6 7/8

210

32

477

21.10

17.40

120

3/4

29

CP-40

36 1/2

98 1/4 

6 7/8

264

40

597

24.60

21.91

120

3/4

29
SunSiphon Thermosiphon Unit


Cutaway of Open-Loop SunSiphon System



SunSiphon Installed on Tiled Residential Roof

Since 1992 SunEarth has teamed with Edward's Energy Systems of Perth, Australia, a world leader in the manufacture of 316L stainless steel storage tanks and boilers, to market a packaged thermosiphon system under the brand name of 'SunSiphon' in North America and the Pacific Basin.  The SunEarth/Edward's collaboration offers the best of two continents – the world's finest thermosiphon storage tank and rugged, high performance SunEarth flat plate solar collectors.  The SunSiphon is available in both open-loop and jacketed closed-loop configurations to serve in any climate. 

 How Does a Thermosiphon System Work?
A Thermosiphon unit is a completely passive design that relies on buoyancy effects to circulate fluid through the collectors as opposed to the pumps and controllers found in active systems.

When sunlight strikes the collectors in the SunSiphon system it heats the food-grade antifreeze within them, which then rises due to buoyancy into the jacket-style heat exchanger on the bottom of the storage tank. Here the antifreeze transfers heat into the tank, becomes cooler, and sinks to the bottom of the collectors to repeat the process.

During periods of no sun, the cool fluid in the base of the collectors is not heated, does not rise, and thereby stops circulation of the antifreeze. In this manner, thermosiphon units achieve the operational characteristics of active systems but without the pumps and controls

Diagram courtesy Edward's Energy Systems

Storage Tank Specifications

Tank Model Number

Capacity (US gal)

Diameter (in)

Length (in)

Dry Weight (lbs)

Booster (Watts)

EPGX48

48

22

48

88

2,400

EPGX80

80

22

75

128

4,800

EPGX116

116

22

108

194

4,800

Total System Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Collector Model

No. of Collectors

Overall Width (in)

Overall Length (in)

Collector Area
 (sq. ft.)

Max Pressure (psig)

Total Wet Weight  (psig)

EPGX48-21

EP21

1

48

98

21.21

150

564

EPGX48-24

EP24

1

48

120

24.61

150

572

EPGX48-32

EP32

1

48

120

32.79

150

602
 

EPGX80-40

EP40

1

75

144

40.81

150

941

EPGX80-42

EP21

2

82

98

42.42

150

946

EPGX80-48

EP24

2

75 120 49.22 150 963

EPGX80-63

EP21

3

122 98 63.63 150 1,022

EPGX80-64

EP32

2

98

120

65.58

150

1,021
 

EPGX116-63

EP21 3 123 98 63.63 150 1,388

EPGX116-64

EP32 2 108 120 65.58 150 1,389
EPGX116-80 EP40 2 108 144 81.62 150 1,480
CopperStor Drainback Tanks

5.0 Gallon CopperStor Unit

7.5 Gallon CopperStor Unit

The CopperStor represent a cost effective advance in drainback tank design.  Fabricated from spun-end seamless copper tubing with no ferrous metal components, the CopperStor is nearly impervious to corrosion an allows for direct sweated connections without the need for troublesome dielectric unions.  High temperature 15% silver brazed joints ensure high strength and are not affected by lower temperature flames used for sweating the connections.  A 3/4" brass cap on the top of the units creates a simple and cost effective method for checking the fill level with a dipstick. CopperStor tanks are finished with a water-based matte black paint and wrapped in 1/2" Rubatex insulation to minimize heat loss and noise emission.

Tank Specifications

SunEarth Model Number

Width (in)

Length (in)

Depth (in)

Dry Weight (lbs)

Fluid Capacity (US gal)

Wet Weight (lbs)

Max Pressure (psig)

Connection Pipe Dia. (in)

DB-5.0

12

50

5

42

5.0

82

160

3/4

DB-7.5

18

50

5

56

7.5

117

160

3/4

DB-10.0

24

50

5

84

10.0

164

160

 3/4

Typical Applications

CopperStor drainback tanks can be seamlessly coupled with the Ruud HE tanks to create a drainback version of our popular SolaRay closed loop design.  Using the Ruud HE tank eliminates the need for the second pump on the potable water side that adds both cost and complications found in other drainback designs.  The CopperStor drainback tank can easily be hung from the wall adjacent to the Ruud HE tank for easy and unobtrusive installation.

For retrofit applications where it is not economical to replace the existing storage tank, the Copperstor may be used in combination with our SunTherm heat exchangers to convert existing solar systems to freeze-proof drainback designs.  The SunTherm may be used as a natural-convection heat exchanger as shown below or may be coupled with a pump on the potable water side for enhanced performance.
 

New Installation

Retrofit Installation

 

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 Tube-in-Shell Heat Exchangers



Tube-in-Shell Heat Exchanger

Cutaway of a tube-in-shell H