Solar Hot Water

How it works?

Solar thermal heating systems work by converting the suns energy, into heat for use in heating hot water in the home. The panels contain liquid, usually anti-freeze which heats up when the panels absorb the sun’s rays. This heat is then transferred by the liquid to a hot water cylinder tank. You can then use the hot water in the cylinder tank to provide hot water as well as heat your home. The system can work all year round, however, during the winter months you’ll need to heat the water further with a boiler or immersion heater. Solar thermal systems can be connected to your existing hot water cylinder and are compatible with most conventional boilers. There are two types of solar thermal panels:

• Evacuated tubes – parallel rows of transparent glass tubes that each use a partial vacuum to assist with heat transfer. Evacuated tubes will outperform flat plates in most conditions. Flat plate panels will produce approximately the same amount of heat as evacuated panels but only on hot sunny days as on cold windy, overcast days the flat panels do not perform as well.
• Flat plate – Can be integrated into a roof or mounted onto the roof or other structure. Transparent, glazed, insulated and weather proof – less expensive than evacuated tubes, however, less productive especially on colder, overcast days.

Benefits of Solar thermal systems

Solar thermal panels can be either roof or ground mounted. They have been rigorously tested, are a proven technology and are very durable. As there are no moving parts the system is very low maintenance and will not only helps reduce your carbon footprint as it is a green, renewable technology, it will also help cut the cost of your bills. You should also benefit from the Governments Renewable Heat Incentive which is being launched in Spring 2014.