DIY: Solar Powered Water Heater

[Hayen Mill]

I did this recently, was wondering what you guys think about it.

Here's the blog post

And the instructables

And the [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3AhS615-Hk"]youtube video[/ame]

Basically, it works as follows:

Water, inside a water reservoir, will flow through a pvc pipe which is being heated through a simple parabola which reflects sunlight .

Here's a pic of it finished

Any thoughts?

P.S: I know I shouldve used copper instead of PVC, but I had serious budget limitations, besides an irrational belief that metal such as copper, brass or aluminium could intoxicate the water for a shower... (yeah, i know...)

 

[Old Rocks]

I have a solar water heater for my swimming pool, 16 X 24, on my roof. Now my roof faces north on a slight slope. Yet, in March, it will heat the swimming pool to the temperature of a hot tub if you forget to set the limit switch on the temperture. And the panels are black plastic.

Passive solar heating is a very effective way of heating water.

 

[Mr. H.]

I've got a solar clothes dryer. Works like a charm. Cheap too.

 

[Old Rocks]

And outlawed by some neighborhood covenants. LOL

 

[Mr. H.]

You got it.