How large a storage tank do I need?
This is a matter of your hot water use and the size of the solar hot water system. For most residences, a 150 to 320 litres tank is sufficient. For commercial systems, we assess your hot water usage and propose a system size accordingly.

How hot does the water get?
Our systems will usually heat water to up to 70 degrees on a sunny day.

What if there is no sun to heat the water?
Although solar hot water systems work in both sunny and overcast conditions, under periods of prolonged cloud cover, the system may not produce enough hot water to satisfy demand. The Dayliff Solar Hot Water Systems come with a 3kW electric booster which can be utilized at night or during periods of prolonged clouds.

How long does it take to install a system?
It typically takes only one day to install a residential solar hot water system. Depending on the size and complexity of the system, commercial solar hot water systems typically take 5-7 business days to install and would cause minimal interruption to the property’s operations.

What is the difference between a passive system and an active system?
In a passive solar hot water system, the system has no pumps or motors and is designed on basic principles of physics — hot water rises and cold water falls. Therefore, through that basic principal, water circulates through the system to provide hot water for the property. In an active system, a circulating pump is utilized to pump water through the system.

How should the collectors be installed to ensure optimum performance?
Solar hot water collectors should be oriented correctly to maximize the amount of daily and seasonal solar energy that they receive. In general, the optimum orientation for a solar collector in the northern hemisphere is true south. However, recent studies have shown that, depending on your location and collector tilt, your collector can face up to 90° East or West of true South without significantly decreasing its performance. You’ll also want to consider factors such as roof orientation, local landscape features that could potentially shade the collectors, and local weather conditions as these factors may affect your collector’s optimal orientation. In most areas, the collectors will be mounted on the roof at a predetermined angle in order to maximize the system’s output

Why would I want a solar hot water system?

• Reduce your utility bill and save money.
• Contribute to our country’s shift to clean, renewable energy.
• Reduce the amount of pollution created by burning fossil fuels.

How long until I break even?
The break-even period is the amount of time it takes for your savings to equal the amount of your investment. The break-even period for solar water systems is 1 to 5 years depending on the following factors: 

• How much hot water you use (the more you use, the more you save and the quicker you break even)
• The cost of your system,
• The cost of energy you are currently using (offsetting higher energy costs speeds up your break-even time)

How does a solar hot water system work?
A Solar Hot Water (SHW) system consists of solar collectors that are installed on the roof of a structure and capture energy from the sun which is used to heat water. Effective in almost any climate, these systems can provide up to 80% of a property’s hot water needs for showering, laundry, cooking, pool heating or other processes that utilize hot water.

How much does it cost to install a solar hot water system?
Prices will vary depending on where you live and what your demand for hot water is. A typical residential system costs approximately KShs110,000 – KShs180,000 for the 150Litres to 300Litres Solar Hot Water System.