Solar Thermal Panels

Solar water heating systems, or solar thermal systems, use energy from the sun to warm water for storage in a hot water cylinder or thermal store. Because the amount of available solar energy varies throughout the year, a solar water heating system won’t provide 100% of the hot water required throughout the year. A conventional boiler or immersion heater is normally used to make up the difference.

Most solar hot water systems are just designed to provide the hot water you use for bathing, showering and hot taps. Larger systems can be designed for other applications such as swimming pool heating or commercial use.

Solar water heating systems use panels or tubes, called solar collectors, to gather solar energy. The solar collectors convert the infra-red portion of visible light into heat. They are filled with a mix of water and glycol. This fluid is pumped round a circuit, which passes through the hot water cylinder.

There are two types of solar water heating collectors:

• Evacuated tubes – a bank of glass tubes mounted on the roof tiles.
• Flat plate collectors – fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof.

We would replace your hot water cylinder for a twin coil cylinder, one for the boiler as to connect your system as before and the other coil for the solar. This may be an opportunity to upgrade your vented cylinder to a unvented cylinder. (mains pressure)

Hot water throughout the year

The system works all year round, though you’ll need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater, especially during the winter months. In the summer, it should provide around 90% of your hot water requirements, dropping to around 25% in the winter.

Reduced energy bills

Sunlight is free, so your hot water costs will be reduced.

Lower carbon footprint

Solar water heating is a renewable heating system and can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.

Costs

The cost of installing a typical solar water heating system is around £5,000 to £7500. Costs will depend on whether you choose evacuated tube or flat plate collectors, as well as the size of the system.

Savings

Solar water heating systems will normally be designed to provide roughly half your hot water requirement. The saving will vary throughout the year, with systems providing nearly all your hot water in the summer, but less during the winter months.

Solar hot water systems are typically low maintenance, but it is important to have a service every 2-3 years.

If you are not getting hot water or the solar pipework is cold when the pump is running on warm, sunny days, you should check the control panel for warnings.

This will involve draining and flushing the system and replacing the fluid. This is because over time the anti-freeze protection offered by the glycol will reduce. Leaving it for longer than three years can be detrimental to the system’s efficient operation. The antifreeze also protects the manifold in the winter thus preserving the panels and their longevity.

We carry out a full system service and any minor repairs, we carry the normal wear and tear items on board in case any parts need replacing such as expansion vessel, pumps, pressure relief valve or sensors.

Please keep an eye out on the pressure gauge and always make sure you have at least 1 bar showing on the indicator.

If you’re leaving for a summer break, you should leave your solar water heating system running. Some solar controllers offer a ‘holiday’ function that will help protect the system if you are away for a few days – but don’t forget to turn it off when you return.

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