Solar Thermal.

  • Purpose-designed solar cylinders available as part of total solar package.
  • Solar package can be linked to traditional UK heating systems.
  • Low environmental impact: can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 400kg per year (depending on the fuel replaced).
  • Can reduce hot water heating costs by up to 60% annually.

Kingspan Solar – The Ultimate Solar package

How Solar Thermal Systems Work?

The solar panels collect energy from the sun which heats the fluid in the solar panels. When the fluid in the panels is hot enough, the pump station circulates the hot fluid around the system. The hot fluid is pumped around the coil at the bottom of the solar cylinder and heats the water contained within the cylinder. The solar controller is the brains of the system, managing the solar system during daylight hours, enabling you to time your hot water, just like a central heating programmer, and measure the amount of energy you have gained from the sun. If the temperature sensor in the cylinder detects that the solar panel hasn’t collected enough energy to heat the hot water to the required temperature, that’s when supplementary heat source cuts in and tops up the temperature of the hot water so that it comes out of your taps at the temperature required.

A Few Facts

Renewable energy solutions have been around for some time now. Many thousands of ecologically minded UK homeowners have taken green initiatives in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint in one way or another, not least of all by installing solar thermal hot water systems in their homes. Climate change is now a generally accepted fact. This has increased our focus on alternative energy sources, such as solar thermal water heating, and a greater understanding is emerging that even normal daylight is sufficient to generate some hot water via solar collectors and the sunny climes of the continent are not sole beneficiaries of the most abundant power source on the planet, the sun.

How Much Of Our Water Heating Energy Needs Could Be Provided By Solar?

During the summer months as much as 100% of the energy needed could be provided by solar. In winter, despite the lower intensity of the sun’s rays and fewer daylight hours as much as 30% could be solar. On average throughout the year up to 70% of a dwelling’s hot water requirement can be provided by solar power. The balance is normally provided by traditional means; either indirect (via a gas, oil or electric boiler heating a second coil within the cylinder) or direct (via electric immersion heaters in the cylinder).

Government Grant Assistance - Low Carbon Building Programme

The Low Carbon Building Programme provides grants to householders for renewable technologies, including solar thermal hot water systems. The programme, which started from 1st April 2006, replaced DTI’s Clear Skies and Solar PV programmes which closed for applications on March 31st, 2006. The programme is UK wide (apart from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man). Two streams of grants are available:

  • Phase One applies to smaller projects for home owners and community groups among others.
  • Phase Two applies to larger projects, including larger businesses, community organisations and the public sector.

There are a number of energy efficiency measures that must be undertaken before the homeowner is eligible to apply for a grant under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. These measures will ensure that energy requirements are minimised and are as follows:

  • A minimum of 270mm loft insulation.
  • Installed cavity wall insulation (if the house has cavity walls).
  • Using low energy light bulbs in all appropriate light fittings.
  • Installed basic controls for the heating system to include a room thermostat and a programmer or timer.

For further details of grants available, and conditions that apply, please contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

 

Some of our installations.