A controller is an electronic device that keeps a circulating pump for a solar hot water system collecting as much heat possible from the solar panels. It also keeps the system from overheating. The controller turns the circulating pump on when there is heat available in the panels, moving the working fluid through the panels to the heat exchanger at the thermal store.
The controller can protect the pumps from overheating by turning the pump off when the store reaches its maximum temperature. It can also cool the store by turning the pump on when the store is hotter than the panels.
Commercial controllers display the temperature of the hot water in the store and provide general status information about the system, including overall energy production.
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