Can PE tube solar energy be used?

many friends will ask when installing a solar system: "Can PE pipe be used in solar energy?" After all, PE pipe is a common plastic pipe in daily life, but the solar system has temperature and pressure requirements. Is it suitable? Let's make this clear today.

First of all, it must be clear: PE pipe is the abbreviation of polyethylene plastic pipe, and its core advantages just meet the needs of solar energy systems - corrosion resistance, will not rust and block pipes like iron pipes; strong flexibility, no matter buried or laid along the roof, it is convenient to turn and reduce hidden dangers of joints; good aging resistance, normal use can reach 20 or 30 years, low maintenance cost.

Specific to the two major scenarios of solar energy systems, how is the performance of PE pipe?

1. Solar hot water system: choose the right PE-RT pipe is no problem

solar water heater water temperature is usually 50-80 ℃, ordinary PE pipe (such as PE80/PE100) long-term temperature resistance of about 60 ℃, direct use will be deformed. But PE-RT pipe (heat-resistant polyethylene pipe) is a special "heat-resistant model", long-term use temperature can reach 70 ℃, short-term can carry 95 ℃, perfect match the temperature requirements of solar hot water. And PE-RT pipe adopts hot melt connection, interface and pipe integration, completely avoid the risk of water leakage, installation is more flexible than PPR pipe.

2. Solar photovoltaic system: PE pipe is a good choice for cable protection

The cable of photovoltaic panel needs to be protected from sun, corrosion, and rat bite. The insulation and corrosion resistance of PE pipe just meet the needs. Whether it is buried directly buried pipe or roof surface-mounted pipe, PE pipe can be easily competent, and the cost is much lower than that of steel pipe. It is a cost-effective option for photovoltaic cable protection.

However, there are also 3 key considerations for installing solar energy with PE pipe:

- Choose the right type: PE-RT pipe must be used for hot water system, not ordinary PE pipe; choose ordinary PE pipe with sufficient wall thickness (such as SDR11) for photovoltaic system.

- Avoid sun exposure: surface-mounted PE pipes need to be wrapped with thermal insulation cotton or sunscreen sleeves to reduce ultraviolet aging;

- Standard installation: control the temperature during hot melt connection (PE-RT pipe about 200-220 ° C) to ensure that the interface is firm; high-rise or pressurized systems choose PN1.6MPa pressure grade pipes.

In summary, PE pipes can be used in solar systems and are cost-effective choices - as long as the right type and standard installation are selected, they can stably accompany the solar system for many years.