Solar Thermal Home
Solar Thermal is the name given to a system that uses solar panels to heat water. By means of heat
transfer, the suns radiant heat is used very effectively.
The free and endless supply of energy produced by the sun can be used to heat your own hot water. It's a free source of energy
meaning you will use much less fuel, and therefore contribute less pollution. In fact the solar thermal panels produce no pollution
at all.
How do the solar panels work?
On the diagram, the grey area is a typical non-solar system. With the addition
of the yellow area, your boiler will have help from the solar
and not need to come on as often.
The Controller constantly compares the temperature in the
cylinder to that on the panels. When the temperature is higher on the panels,
the Solar Pump will come on and pump water around the solar
circuit, and through the lower coil of the twin-coil cylinder.
When the temperature is reached, the pump turns off. The water in the solar
system is protected using an special solar anti freeze mixture.
We install a Twin Coil Cylinder. the top coil will be used for
your boiler, and the solar heated water will use the lower coil.
Our solar system is Indirect so there is no mixing of your existing
water.
How much will Solar panels help?
In the summer, a solar system on your house will typically
heat 90% of your hot water (often 100%), and 50% in the spring and autumn.
In the winter the solar system will still work, picking up heat from the sun we do have, which will
account for 20% of your hot water heating. We do actually have quite a bit of sun in the winter!
In total this works out to be 60% - 70% of your hot water will be
provided by solar energy.
How and where can they fit?
The solar panels will usually be best placed on a south
facing pitched roof. However, if this proves unsuitable then it is possible
to mount them on flat roofs, on east/west roofs, or on a frame on the wall.
There are many places they can go,
although the roof by far the most common as it is already an ideal angle.
There are two methods on installing the panels onto the roof, integrated and
bolt-on.
The Bolt-on method
would be best used for existing houses where the roof is already tiled. The
panel is simply bolted on using special brackets, and the bolts will go right
into the roof joists. It is of course fully weather-proof after fitting. For a more permanent and flush to the roof look, consider removing the roof covering and installing In-roof panels.
The Roof-integrated
panel fixes straight onto the roof battens on top of the lining, then a flashing
is fitted around the panel and is tiled up to just like it is with a roof
window.
The flashing will work with all types of roof tile, whether they are slate,
artificial tile, or concrete flat and shaped.
What type are the solar panels?
We
use Windhager SolarWIN Flat plate Solar panels. The collectors have a special heat absorbent coating applied.
A very thin gap inside
allows for the water to pass and be heated by the sun. The panels are robust,
the frame is strong and resistant aluminium and the cover is a toughened 4mm solar glass.
A 10 Year Guarantee is provided on these panels.
How much Money will I save?
You will save money straight away as the panels will
use the first bit of sun that is available to heat your water, instead of
your fueled boiler having too!
And with the prices of Oil, Gas and Electricity and other fuels certain to
rise in the future, you will save money, by being able to heat your own
hot water with a free (and green) energy source.
Roof-Integrated Panels will save the cost of typically 4 square metres of roof tiles or slates, for a standard system.