Heat from the Sun’s Rays

 

Harnessing the Sun’s energy using solar panels is a great way to reduce energy costs and heat the water you use in your home or business.

Solar Hot Water (or Solar Thermal) can provide an income stream of its own for over 20 years, thanks to the Renewable Heat Incentive for Commercial Solar Thermal installations. For domestic installations, the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) is available to help reduce upfront costs in the meantime.

 

What is Solar Thermal?

 

A Solar Hot Water or Solar Thermal system captures solar energy and uses it to heat water, displacing the use of fossil fuels in heating up a hot water cylinder, heating system, swimming pool or industrial process. They are used in conjunction with existing heating technologies to ensure you have hot water whatever the weather.

 

Panels can be installed on pitched or flat roofs or on a ground-mounted frame. They can also be integrated into buildings as part of innovative facade systems and canopies. They will gain most energy when facing south but are also effective when oriented anywhere between east and west.

 

How do Solar Thermal systems work?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The solar panel or evacuated tubes (often referred to as the solar collector) collect heat from the Sun. This heat is transferred to a liquid in the system, which contains an antifreeze solution to prevent it from freezing in the winter.

 

A pump controls the flow of the liquid around the system, which takes heat from the collector and transfers it to the water in your cylinder. A controller monitors the temperature in your cylinder and adjusts the rate of the pump according to need.

 

What happens during installation?

 

Installation of a home Solar Thermal system typically takes about 2 days. For larger systems such as for dairy farms or leisure centres it will take longer. We employ all our own installers who are all trained plumbers and solar specialists. They will plumb in your new cylinder and connect it to your boiler and then fix the solar collector to the roof before pressurising and commissioning the system.

 

What about aftercare?

 

We also offer an annual maintenance package for your Solar Thermal system. It is a good idea to keep your system in top condition and some products require a service once a year to keep within their warranty.