Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems use heat from the sun to warm water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater is then used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.
How does Solar Water Heating Work?
Solar hot water panels absorb the sun’s energy and transfer it to your water heating system. Modern materials and technology have made this simple idea more efficient by optimising the process of trapping and retaining as much of the sun’s heat as possible.
Solar panels absorb radiant heat from the sun, which warms up a special fluid passing through the panel in copper pipes. The warmed fluid is then pumped through a coil inside a hot water tank to heat stored water. Solar water heating systems can be made to fit into domestic heating systems relatively easily, with most common systems using a heat exchanger like the system shown in the diagram below.
How much can heat can Solar Water Heating Produce?
Solar water heating systems are generally designed to work in conjunction with another water heating system, such as a gas, oil, or biomass boiler. An average system might provide almost all of your hot water over the summer months, even on cloudy days. Throughout the rest of the year the system will preheat the stored water to varying temperatures which will then be brought up to full temperature by the boiler. Overall, on an annual basis, solar water heating systems should provide around 40% - 60% of total hot water consumption.
Is solar water heating suitable for me?
To tell if solar water heating is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:
Do you have a sunny place to put your panels?
You'll need around 5 square metres of roof space which faces east to west through south and receives direct sunlight for the main part of the day. Alternatively, if you do not have a south facing roof and if you have space, you could install two panels, one facing east and one facing west - but this will make installation more costly. The panels don't always have to be mounted on a roof, they can be fixed to a frame on flat roofs.
Do you have space for a larger, or an extra, hot water cylinder?
If a dedicated solar cylinder is not already installed then you will need to replace the existing cylinder, or add a dedicated cylinder with a solar heating coil.
Is your current boiler compatible with solar water heating?
Most conventional boiler and hot water cylinder systems are compatible with solar water heating. If your boiler is a combination boiler (combi) and you don't currently have a hot water tank then a solar hot water system may not be compatible.
Do you need planning permission?
England most solar water heating systems don't need planning permission, but it is always best to consult your local planning office if you live in a Listed Building, or a building in Conservation Area or World Heritage Site. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you will need to consult your local authority.
So, if you feel that a solar water heating system is something you would be interested in considering, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can give you all the advice and information you need and can provide you with a complete solution tailored to your requirements
