There are many solarwater heater brands in the market such as microsolar, mysolar, greensolar, monier, smart solar, solarmate, summer, solarwave, aquasolar, mirai, solargold and etc etc, so what brand to choose? how to choose? For solar users, u can share what brand u r using and comments here.

Mainly there are two types of solar Flat Panel (traditional type) and Evacuated Tubes (newer design). In general Evacuated tubes solar is more efficient and able to heat up water faster. So, should we just directly aim to get evacuated tube solar? Well, there are pros and cons of each type, so depend which you prefer

Flat panel, less problem, durable and functional. Flat panel has been in market more than 30 years and has an average life span of more than 10 years. So if you have 5 ppl or less, do not wan to spend too much on solar heater, flat panel is your right choice.

Evacuated tubes have better efficiency but they are not as durable as FLAT PANEL. In Malaysia, there are 3 types of evacuated tubes


1) Old tech, Wet tube or water in tube where tubes are connected directly to water tank. Water flow into the tubes and water is heated up directly by the sun. The main issue of this this design is high probability of leakage. If u have 20 tubes = 20 possible connection that could leak in future due to wear and tear of the silicone seal. Moreover, as water flows directly into the tubes, if one of the tubes break, hot water will flow out and the Solar System is no longer usable. This system is cheaper compared to other evacuated tubes solar.

2) Heat pipe connected to manifold. Heat pipe is a newer type of tubes, whereby heat is transferred through a copper tube, there is no water flowing into the tubes, hence it will never leak. Tubes are not connected to tank but to a manifold, hence heating is less efficient.

3) Heat pipe with closed loop. This is the best design so far, tubes are connected directly to water tank, water tank is fully sealed, tubes do not get direct contact with water, hence no water leakage at tube and tube connection. As tubes are directly connected to tank, heating efficiency is much faster than manifold type. Disadvantage is, the price is the most expensive.



This post has been edited by zheilwane: Sep 6 2023, 03:11 PM

In my opinion la. With the availability of solar program, I feel that it’s not worth install solar water heater for now.

Because one solar water heater installation will cost quite a lot. I go for solar panels because I can save electricity overall and not only for hot shower alone.

Right now I am using instant water heater but the bill remains rm3 because I use solar panels to offset the electricity used.

This post has been edited by bee88: Sep 6 2023, 09:27 AM

Yes u r correct also, if your main goal is to save $$ on electricity only, solar water heater is not the right option. However, if u like to have relaxing shower like hotels, strong water pressure and sufficient hot or u wan to use some fancy shower system, then u will need a solar water heater and at the same time it could save on electricity

This post has been edited by zheilwane: Sep 6 2023, 09:27 AM

Actually, u can achieve the same with tank water heater+ solar panels.

With the correct pump, actually it works. I don’t think solar water heater help with the water pressures?

I install a separate pump for the whole house. Pressure is very nice.

This post has been edited by bee88: Sep 6 2023, 09:30 AM

yup can achieve with heater tank thatz y i say if u wan relaxation + saving at the same time. also depends how many bathroom. if 1 or 2 then storage more cost effective is 4 - 5 then solar.

Moreover storage heater is 25,35,50L so sometimes if forgot on electric, nd to wait to boil. Solar usually have hot water all the time except rainy days then u get less hot water but rarely go home totally no hot water cant shower at all.

Anyway, this thread is to discuss which solar to buy, hopefully solar users can comment what brand they are using and happy with the performance or not.

I myself is using AquaSolar L80 with 3 flat panels, rarely turn on electricity bcoz i only have 5 ppl at home more than enough. Using it close to 10 years, never service before, still very hot but recently this 1 - 2 weeks keep on raining temperature not too hot but still sufficient to shower

This post has been edited by zheilwane: Sep 6 2023, 02:43 PM

I wonder how hot water can be during rainy season. Unlike four season countries where the sun shines during winter, Malaysia weather is hot and rain. During rainy season where you need hot water the most there is not much sunshine.

Tested with Aquasolar V66, as long as there is sunlight, it is still able to heat up water. Ofcoz if sky is totally dark confirm wont work. However, quite impossible dark for whole day. For my usage example, L66 (66 gallon) is sufficient for 5ppl usage but i installed 80gallon, so with additional hot water we can last a few more days before turning on the back up heater during rainy days. For sunny days we have about 10hours of sunlight whille rainy days may b 4hours. So, you either get a better efficiency solar like V66 or Get a bigger tank to store more hot water.

That is why there are mix reviews on solar heaters, some complain always not enough hot water, some compliment say very good. So it all depends on ur usage, always buy bigger rather than jus sufficient.

will there be overlap if i install the solar water heater now but in the future i plan to install the solar panels as well?

Yes, cause when have solar panels you want to max it to max the economics. The solar heater will create shadow and reduce your roof area, plus it is completely redundant as electric heater will be more efficient.

solar heater is quite flat so dont think will create shadow n block solar panels.

if u r using solar heater, solar panel no nd so many can buy lesser panels.

also solar heater got 300L vs storage heater 30-50L standard, so no nd wait water to boil. If u go holiday few days, storage heater water is cold while solar auto heat up daily with sun light.

Storage heater usually installed above plaster ceiling, if leak, ceiling get wet, solar installed above roof, if leak is outside of the house, safer to use

Doing home reno and plan to install storage heater system. Thought of Solar heater but given there is Solaris rebate now, should i just get a electric heater and sign up for Solaris plan?

Seeking views from sifu here.

PV solar only generates electricity, so for hot water u will need to buy storage heaters. if 1 - 2 bathroom & low usage of water water, storage will be better but if more bathrooms then solar better.

1) 1 bathroom one storage heater, so if u have many rooms then cost of installation not cheap
2) If storage heater spoils or leaks, to replace not easy and may damage your plaster ceiling
3) if you did not boil the water after showering, then the next time u shower, need to wait 30 min to boil. Solar is automatic, daily heat up by the sun

Thanks. So weighing cost wise:

1) Solar heater would be good option, free heating power except rainmy day need to run electricity to heat up large storage tank. Initial cost ard rm6-7k, plus installation cost of concealed stainless steel pipes from rooftop to 3 bathrooms.

2) storage heater would be lower upfront cost, as 30L/50L cost less than rm1k each nowadays. Installation cost for more units but offset by shorter distance to lay concealed stainless steel
pipes. Future maintenance not a problem as i am inclining to get get ACP ceiling instead of plaster for bathrooms. Long run electricity consumption cost savings could go for Solaris but then no guarantee no guarantee on the scheme lifetine and rebate structure.

Dilemma......

then go for storage heater since all well planned