Solar biomass pellet heating systems

Solar water heating systems - frequently asked questions

What is Solar Power?	Solar Power is Energy derived directly from the sun. The Solar Energy that Britain receives each year is 750 times more than we currently consume. The Sun's energy is most commonly used for heating water in the UK.
How can we use Solar Energy in the UK?	Active solar heating includes the use of solar panels to heat cylinders of water mainly for domestic hot water systems and swimming pools.
Will they work effectively in the UK?	Yes. A standard system will provide 50-70% of a UK home's hot water. "In the UK we receive vast amounts of solar energy with the average amount of energy received in a year being as much as 60% of that received on the equator. This radiation is similar to the output of 1,000 power stations." - (Solar Trade Association)
What do I need?	You need an area of roof roughly south facing to gain maximum exposure to the sun. Ideally southwest 10 degrees and about 40-degree azimuth angle. Trees or other buildings for the majority of the day must not shade it. Panels can be fitted to existing buildings ('retro-fit') or on an angled frame or onto a new build situation. A quality solar system can typically produce 50-70% of your hot water demand. It always requires a storage cylinder or thermal store. It is normally not suitable for existing combi-boiler systems.
Will I need Planning Permission?	Not usually, as you are permitted to make certain minor changes to your home without needing planning permission, and installing a solar panel comes into this category. However, if you live in a listed building or in a conservation area you may need consent. We advise that you contact your local authority planning department for advice and also check if building regulations might apply. If there are problems installing the panels on the roof, it may be possible to put a system in the grounds of your house on an angled frame. Too long a pipe run could mean you have to have extra panels top compensate for the losses.
How big does my system need to be?	As a rule of thumb, 1 square metre of panel is required per person and 50 litres of water per person.
How hot is the water?	On sunny days, temperatures of 70 to 90 degrees are common. Even on cloudy days in winter some hot water will be produced as the system utilises energy from diffuse light. In winter the system will pre-heat the water in your cylinder, meaning the solar system will make meaningful reductions to your gas, oil or electricity consumption throughout the year. Also, as solar hot water systems are designed to store larger amounts of hot water than conventional systems, a correctly sized system will have hot water left over from the previous day. If you have a few cloudy days in a row the thermostat will turn the booster on to bring the water up to temperature
How much will a Solar Water Heating System cost?	Please see Purchasing & Installation.
Are there Grants available for installing Solar Heating Systems?	There are a number of grants available; please see separate page.
How long will my Solar Heating System last?	System life expectancies can exceed 30 years.
Aren't Solar Panels ugly?	Solar Panels are now designed to be discreet, slim-line and attractive. In roof is less conspicuous than on-roof. Rather than ruining the appearance of your house they can actually increase the value of your property.
How long will a Solar System take to install?	Solar water heating systems can be installed in around two days. Complex installations may take longer.
Do they need regular servicing / maintenance?	They require almost zero maintenance except for the occasional cleaning of the surfaces to ensure optimum light transmission so that performance is always high. Most systems are designed to be self cleaning. The system should be checked every 5 years to ensure the antifreeze is still active.
How do Active Solar Heating Systems Work?	Solar Panels are fitted to your homes roof collecting heat from the sun. This is piped into the house's hot water system where it joins the heat produced by your standard domestic boiler (or biomass boiler). An electronic controller constantly compares the temperature of the solar collectors with the temperature of the water in the cylinder. On a sunny or light day the energy from the sun can provide all an average house's daily hot water. On cloudy days the boiler will have to kick in to bring up the temperature. Most solar systems work on a closed-loop system, containing a harmless anti-freeze. This requires a replacement cylinder to be installed. It can be installed with a mains pressure or open vented cylinder. The price difference between the two systems can be £500.
What type of system do I need?	Flat Plate Systems These have been around for over 30 years and are a long-lasting product. Early models are not as efficient as modern equivalent and often have less insulation. Quality systems have better 'selective coating' and last longer. Quality systems are slightly more expensive but may be simpler to install. Cheaper systems are available but installation costs can be higher. The general belief is that flat plate is less efficient; requiring a larger area of cover. Flat plate systems are less efficient in cold weather, but solar irradiation is lower at these times. Performance figures over the year, on the simulation program 'Tsol' shows little difference between modern flat-plate and evacuated tube. On-Roof Panels can be installed on-roof; generally for retrofit; as this is quicker and simpler. In-Roof On new-build the panels can be placed on the new battens, saving costs on roofing materials. They are of a lower profile; being more acceptable for planning sensitive situations. In an existing building, in-roof would require stripping of the existing roof covering and restoring, which can be expensive. Glass Evacuated Tube Systems These have only been around for about 15 years; many a lot less. There are vastly different quality systems about. We do not install low quality systems. Tube systems generally have curved collectors, therefore can take up a smaller area on the roof, which can be an advantage where space is limited, However, care must be taken in areas where vandalism may be an issue. Tube systems are normally on-roof mounted. Tube systems are more efficient in winter, as heat cannot escape across the vacuum. This is more relevant during the winter months, when solar irradiation is lower at these times. As stated previously, performance figures over the year, on the simulation program 'Tsol' show little difference between modern flat-plate and evacuated tube systems.