Abstract: A hot water collector to be erected on the sloped roof of an enclosure so that solar energy, i.e. the rays of the sun, will shine on the collector and heat water flowing therein. The collector features a plurality of parallel generally rectilinear channels arranged on the roof, extending transversely to the pitch of the roof and extending horizontally and transversely across the sloped roof. Water flows from one end of a channel to the other and then down to the next lower channel. The water is heated by the sun as it flows along successive channels, and heated water is removed from the lowest channel for space heating or other uses. A specific configuration of solar hot water collector consisting of an elongated metal strip and a plurality of metal mounting brackets is also disclosed, as well as a method of installing a solar hot water collector on the sloped roof of an enclosure using a plurality of elongated metal strips.