Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key elements of the Heatwave design?

  • A cost effective solar thermal product
  • An aesthetically pleasing panel
  • Robust design
  • Durable
  • Maintenance free
  • Has no deterioration in its performance throughout the working life
  • Safe and easy to handle and install
  • Satisfies ecologically sensitive regional planning requirements
  • A highly efficient collector which would collect more kW hrs per year in the temperate climate of northern Europe.
  • Low carbon embodied

How does the Heatwave collector work?

  • The heat transfer cycle commences when the panel is exposed to UV light. The reduced pressure fluid boils at a low temperature accelerating the phase changed fluid up the distributed heatpipe at sonic velocity.
  • How fast? When compared with copper the heatpipe transfers the heat 1000 times quicker.
  • At the top of the heatpipe the heat is transferred via carbon contact to the low volume heat exchanger which minimises heat loss in the transfer.
  • The heat transfer from the vapour causes condensation which runs down the edge of the heatpipe due to surface tension. The eye shaped heatpipe is key to this process.
  • Because there is a resulting reduced friction between the passing liquid and vapour the process is extremely quick and efficient.

Why choose Heatwave?

Manufactured from two sheets of thin gauge stainless steel which are welded and then hydroformed to form multiple heat pipes within the section, the panel is unique in its design.

Remarkably, it has the same characteristics as a flat plate, but delivers the performance of a glass tube system, without the fragility. This state of the art technology is especially relevant in temperate climates, such as those experienced in the UK and Northern Europe.

Our collector reacts very quickly to the sun’s energy, and is capable of operating up to 150 degrees C - essential if the requirement is for solar powered air conditioning or refrigeration systems.

Thinner (only 52mm thick), lighter (only 23kg) and measuring only one square metre, our panels are easy to both handle and install. They can be mounted between 25 degrees and vertical, either flush into the roof structure or via a purpose built mounting system.