Solar thermal panels are a way of generating hot water from the energy from the sun all year round and even on cloudy days albeit to a lesser extent. It is the most environmentally friendly method of generating hot water, available to almost everyone.
Solar energy is fast becoming the most important energy source for humanity as non-renewable resources such as coal, gas and oil dwindle to nothing. So how does this affordable and green technology work in your home?
- Energy from the Sun is ‘harvested’ by the solar thermal panels, either by evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors. The solar energy heats the liquid in the solar thermal panels.
- The hot liquid from the solar panels is fed into the coil inside the hot water cylinder to heat the water for the home for free.
- The existing heating system is usually retained to supplement the hot water produced by the solar thermal panels.
- Most conventional boiler and hot water cylinder systems are suitable for use with solar thermal panel systems but some, such as combination boilers are not.
- For most properties, the solar thermal panel systems are effective for providing hot water for use in the home, but are not usually large enough to provide hot water for central heating (particularly since central heating is usually required in the winter months when the system is at its least productive).
WHAT ARE SOLAR THERMAL PANELS?
Solar thermal panels convert solar energy from sunlight into heat energy to provide free hot water to the property. Two types of solar thermal panels are available -
Flat-plate collectors consist of an insulated metal frame with glass on the top and a copper or aluminium absorber plate on the bottom, which is coated with a special dark coating to absorb the sun’s energy.
Sunlight passes through the glass on the top and the sunlight energy is absorbed by and heats up the bottom absorber plate. Fixed to the absorber plate are tubes containing transfer liquid and through thermal conductance the heat from the absorber plate is transferred into the liquid.
Evacuated heat pipe tubes (EHPTs) consist of a number of evacuated glass tubes each of which contains an absorber plate that is fused to a heat pipe. The solar energy is collected in much the same way as a flat-plate collector and is transferred to the transfer liquid. The EHPT panel is contained within an insulated frame. The vacuum surrounding the outside of the heat pipe significantly reduces convection and conduction heat losses to the surrounding air.
Evacuated heat pipe tubes tend to be more efficient than flat-plate collectors, particularly in colder climates.
Please see our What we Supply section for a detailed look at solar thermal system components we sell and install.
HOW WE INSTALL THE SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM
Other than the largest jobs, the great majority of projects take 1 day to install. Please see our Installation section for a step by step guide on how we install these systems reliably and safely.
WILL SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS WORK IN MY HOME?
Solar thermal panels rely on exposure to solar energy and the more solar energy that is available, the better the system works. Solar thermal panels can be installed on almost any building, whether you are in an urban or rural location. Please see our Is it right for me? section to confirm that your property is suitable.
WILL MY SOLAR THERMAL PANELS WORK WHEN IT’S CLOUDY?
Solar thermal panels operate on solar energy, rather than heat, so even if the day seems cool – if there is light, the system will be converting some solar energy into heat. Solar thermal systems will therefore generate heat all year round, but the greatest benefit will be during the summer months.
RELIABILITY OF SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
The reliability of solar thermal systems has been established through use over many years. Because there are no moving parts, the systems tend to be very reliable and require little maintenance.
HOW DO I GET A SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM INSTALLED?
Call or email us, every customer is very important to us, so we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.
