Solar hot water systems are a sustainable option for households and buildings that want to reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills. By harnessing the power of the sun, solar hot water systems use renewable energy to heat water for daily use. The system uses evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors on the roof to capture solar energy, which is then transferred to a storage tank via a circulating pump or through a coiled heat exchanger inside the storage tank.

The size of the cylinder depends on the household's hot water consumption and the size of the solar collectors used. Stainless steel cylinders are the most common type of cylinder used in solar hot water systems as they are durable, corrosion-resistant, and can withstand high temperatures.

Compared to electric or gas water heating systems, solar hot water systems are more environmentally friendly as they do not produce any emissions or use non-renewable energy sources. However, since the performance of a solar hot water cylinder is highly dependent on weather conditions, a back-up system, usually an electric element, is installed inside the cylinder to ensure a steady supply of hot water all year round.

Read more about the pros and cons of solar water heaters here.