Blog

Latest posts from Privateer Systems.

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  Winter Performance Update 2026-02-15

  How our drainback system performed through the 2025-26 winter.

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  Why Copper Collectors 2025-11-20

  Why we use copper exclusively in our collector designs.

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  Carter's Solar System 2025-01-03

  President Jimmy Carter's 1979 White House solar thermal installation and its legacy.

• 
  New Modules - Testing 2024-03-05

  Initial board tests yielded promising results with only a minor ESD protection issue.

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  New Modules 2024-02-05

  A modular system with modules connected on a 2-wire data bus.

• 
  New Installation 2023-09-05

  Building a 10-collector array on welded scaffolding after successful prototype testing.

• 
  First Truly Global Energy Crisis 2022-10-25

  The IEA characterised the situation as the first truly global energy crisis.

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  New Test System 2022-10-18

  From two-collector test rig to a ten-collector system with improved winter inclination.

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  Differential Controller 2022-10-05

  A three-channel controller that prioritises heating domestic hot water from the lowest cost source.

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  Insulated Tank 2022-08-19

  Insulating a 1000-litre IBC tank with 100mm mineral wool and tarpaulin.

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  Digital Sensors 2022-08-19

  DS18B20 temperature sensors and the counterfeit problem in the market.

• 
  Stagnation Testing 2022-08-18

  Dry panel stagnation test reaching 92.88 C with 28.81 C ambient — a 64 C differential.

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  Smoother Running 2022-08-13

  Reducing operational cycles through improved control logic and ambient light detection.

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  Inclination 2022-08-03

  Adjusting test panels to 35 degrees and exceeding 700 W per square metre target.

• 
  Test Array 2022-08-02

  Repositioning from 80 to 55 degrees produced significant performance improvement.

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  Tilt Angle 2022-07-02

  Optimal solar collector positioning depends on latitude and season.

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  Why? 2022-07-01

  Planetary stewardship and the case for solar thermal energy.