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How do solar hot water systems work?
What are the main advantages of Solar Water Heating?
Will adding a solar hot water system make a significant difference to my carbon emissions?
Roof structure/orientation?
What is the difference between Solar Water Heating and Photovoltaic?
Isn't it too cold and wet in the UK for solar to work properly?
How much will I save on my utility bills with a solar thermal system?
Can solar panels add value to my property?
Can solar collectors be used to run my central heating?
Do solar systems produce hot water in the winter?
Do solar systems produce hot water on a cloudy/overcast day?
What happens if one of the solar tubes is broken?
What is the payback of a solar thermal system?
What is the life of the solar collector systems?
Do solar heating systems require any maintenance?
Will I be given advice on how to use the system?
I currently have a Combination Boiler (Combi Boiler); will I need a new boiler system which can store hot water?
What are the planning permissions requirements to install solar panels on the roof of my home?
How do solar hot water systems work?
Solar hot water systems work by harnessing the solar energy released by the sun to heat hot water for use in the home. There are a variety of variations in design and products which are used, but all systems work with the same underlying principles. Water from the cold supply provides the water which is used to travel to the solar collector which, using the suns energy, heats up the water. From here it travels back into the cylinder to be stored as hot water
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What are the main advantages of Solar Water Heating?
Solar hot water systems have many advantages for use both domestically and commercially. Primarily, they are non polluting as they are fuelled by the light from the Sun therefore cutting down on greenhouse emissions. Secondly, as the sun heats the water, solar water heaters save on energy reducing the consumption of non-renewables. Which also, thirdly, means less energy consumptions reduces the cost of supplying hot water, reducing utility bills. Finally, by investing in solar heating water systems it shows the government and businesses that there is a demand for these technologies which can help the industry expand
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Will adding a solar hot water system make a significant difference to my carbon emissions?
Yes. A break down of annual CO2 emissions from a semi-detached house which will be constructed to the current Building Regulations standards Approval document shows that space heating and water heating combined account for 53% of CO2 emissions.
(NHBC Foundation, 2009- Zero Carbon homes- an introductory guide for house builders)
This shows that using passive solar design and/or active solar heating can massively reduce the emissions of your house, as well as reducing costs and increased energy security.
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Roof structure/orientation?
The direction your roof is facing (orientation), the slope of the roof and shading are important factors, regardless of the type of panel you are interested in:
The position that maximises the energy collected by a solar panel in the UK is facing south and tilted at an angle of 35 degrees from the horizontal.
What many people find surprising, however is that the total energy collected in a year is not really a strong function of the direction in which the panel faces. This is especially true for panels on a roof - tilted at around 35 degrees, where the difference between facing east or west and facing due south is only around 12%. It is important to be aware that the output of the collector will be reduced on an east/west orientation so the collector area should be increased accordingly
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What is the difference between Solar Water Heating and Photovoltaic?
While Photovoltaic uses the sunbeams to generate electrical energy the solar thermal energy systems transform the sunbeams into warmth that can be used to provide a contribution towards hot water consumption and in come cases towards space heating.
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Isn't it too cold and wet in the UK for solar to work properly?
No, because solar collectors work even if it's freezing cold, all they need is sunlight and we get enough of that, even on a cloudy day. An antifreeze solution circulates around the closed loop of an indirect solar thermal system, protecting it from sub-zero temperatures.
The UK receives 60 % of the solar energy compared with the equator. This is equivalent to 1000 power stations. Each square metre of the UK receives between 900 - 1200 kwh of solar radiation each year.
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How much will I save on my utility bills with a solar thermal system?
You could expect to save between 50% and 70% of your annual water heating costs (water heating makes up on average between 20-30% of the total domestic gas bill for example). The more hot water you use the greater the saving.
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Can solar panels add value to my property?
Yes, your home's value will increase in today's climate of high energy pricing.
A recent survey by MORI found out that people are willing to pay up to £ 10,000 more for a home built to high environmental standards and estate agents are now de-valuing homes for sale with poor "Energy Assessments" results, due to HIP (Home Information Packs) reports
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Can solar collectors be used to run my central heating?
The biggest misconception of solar is that it can meet your domestic central heating requirements!
Be very wary of any solar company who tell you different. Common sense dictates when you need your central heating the most (winter), there are reduced daylight hours, and when solar is most efficient (spring/summer/autumn) central heating is not required.
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Do solar systems produce hot water in the winter?
Solar systems will operate and produce hot water during the winter months, all systems contain an anti-freeze protection where applicable. The output of the system (or temperatures reached) will be lower during the winter months, though a contribution will still be received, reducing the amount of work needed by the secondary heat source (gas condensing boiler for example).
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Do solar systems produce hot water on a cloudy/overcast day?
Solar systems will be able to provide heating during cloudy or overcast days, they operate effectively in ambient light as well as direct. Higher temperatures will of course be reached in direct sunlight though ambient should also be able to reach the required temperatures - the use of traditional gas or electric heating system (secondary heat source) may be required to achieve the required temperatures on darker and shorter days.
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What happens if one of the solar tubes is broken?
The tubes are very strong and not easily broken, but can be replaced very easily should one break due to extreme conditions. They are inexpensive and should be available though your local distributor / installation company.
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What is the payback of a solar thermal system?
Depending on factors, including cost of the system, for instance if you were to put in a system for 2000.00 the pay back will be 2 to 4 years.
Other factors including geographic location of the system, insulation levels (amount of solar radiation) in that area and annual usage of the system,
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What is the life of the solar collector systems?
Solar systems have a life expectancy of greater than 20 years and are usually supplied with a manufacturer's warranty of 10 years.
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Do solar heating systems require any maintenance?
Maintenance of the system is negligible; however, an annual assessment of the solar system is recommended to help to maintain efficiency levels and to help avoid potential long term problems with the system. This could be tied in with the annual service of your existing heating system for example.
The fluid circulating in the system should be topped up or even drained down and replaced every 5 years or so - the anti-freeze component of the fluid breaks down over time and will reduce the performance of the system.
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Will I be given advice on how to use the system?
On completion of the solar water system, the installer will take you through the system explaining the function of the components. They will also provide you with the installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions for you to keep for future reference. As well as the manufacture information which will be used in maintenance checks.given advice on how to use the system?
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I currently have a Combination Boiler (Combi Boiler); will I need a new boiler system which can store hot water?
This will be dependant on the type of combi-boiler which you have. If your boiler is certified to accept pre-heated water then the solar system can be installed in a cold line feed. However, many combi- boilers cannot accept preheated water, so it has to be advised to not install a solar water heating system with these boilers. If you are determined to have a solar water heating system with a combi-boiler, it will be necessary to install a storage cylinder.
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What are the planning permissions requirements to install solar panels on the roof of my home?
Under the ‘Permitted Development Rights' solar panels will not be subject to planning permission on the majority of houses, however there are exceptions to this rule - conservation areas or listed buildings. Our advice would be to always consult your local planning authority before the installing a solar system More information regarding Planning Permission can be found at www.planningportal.gov.uk
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