Solar collector
Every solar thermal system must have a solar collector that captures solar energy and converts it into heating energy. There are currently two types of solar thermal collectors available for residential and commercial hot water installations: flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors.

(Flat plate collector)

(Evacuated tubes collector)

Solar hot water storage tank.
Water, heated during the day, is stored for further usage in a storage tank. In most installations, this tank stores preheated water before it enters the conventional water heater.

Pumps

Pumps are used to circulate liquids within system loops, so the right amount of heat is transferred from the solar collector to the heat exchanger.

(Solar pump station)

Heat exchanger

This is used as a medium between the solar transfer fluid and the potable water being heated.

Controller

The controller is the brain of the system. It knows when to turn the pumps on and off and it displays the current temperatures of the collectors and water in the tank.

(Controller)

Piping and insulation

These are used to connect the parts of the installation and protect the system from energy loses.

Balance of system

This is usually referred to everything else needed to complete installation such as mounting structures, pipe sleeves, and roofing flashing.