Solar Thermal

How Solar Thermal Works

A well-sized solar panel system could provide up to 60% of your annual hot water requirements needs which adds up to the annual savings below. The actual amount depends on the type of fuel that is currently used in the property. Once Renewable Heat Incentives (RHIs) are introduced in April 2011, householders will receive an additional payment of around £350 per year. A typical domestic solar thermal system can also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 325kg per year.

What Grants are Available?

There is a easy to apply for £400 domestic grant available from the Low Carbon Buildings Programmer Phase 1 (LCBP)
For charities, schools and public sector organizations there is a 50% grant available.
However, these grants will expire when the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) is introduced in April 2011

Can I get paid for the hot water I produce from my solar panels?

Yes! From April 2011, the Government will be introducing the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will means that your power company will pay you an annual cash back of around £350 per Annam, tax free for 20 years, for deploying a solar hot water system.

How does it work?



Solar panels harness the power in both direct and diffused sunlight and convert the energy to heat for the production of hot water for the home. The solar panels have been designed as a complement to existing heating systems which use a store of hot water in a cylinder.
The existing cylinder is exchanged for a cylinder with two heat exchanger coils; one from the boiler in the property and a second from the solar panels.
Solar panels are available in portrait and landscape versions to suit a variety of roof sizes and shapes.

Hot Water Installation and Commissioning

It usually takes 1 or 2 days for our team of engineers to install and commission a solar hot water system. If it is a large system or the installation is complex it may take longer. Fitting a system causes minimal disruption. Your heating system will normally be switched off for just 1-day. Our engineers will always spend time with you to explain the functionality and operation of the components installed.


Pipe Work

Pipe work will need to be run from the solar collector array to the hot water cylinder/heat exchanger. Copper pipe work is used. The high operating temperatures of the system mean that plastic pipe work is not suitable.

The size of the pipe work installed will depend on the total collector area and length of pipe run.
The pipe work can be run internally (Hot Water Cylinder) or externally, below or above ground (Swimming Pool). All pipe work will be insulated, and if required mechanically protected. An anti-freeze is used to avoid pipe work freezing.

Solar Pool Heating System Operation

The system functions automatically without user input. The control system monitors the collector and pool temperatures and starts the pump when there is useful solar energy to be gained. If necessary the solar controller will also start the pool pump so that solar heated water can be dumped into the pool. When there is no more useful solar energy available the controller stops the circulating pump
Solar swimming pool heating is a low cost alternative to heating your above or in ground swimming pool throughout the summer months.

In this country, unheated swimming pools only reach a pleasant temperature for a few days a year. Installing a solar swimming pool heating system will enable you to increase your pool temperature to a pleasant level that will result in you enjoying and using your pool more than ever before.

If you are an existing pool owner who already has a pool heater in some form or another and are fed up with paying excessive utility bills, then utilizing the sun’s energy for free is an ideal alternative. The swimming pool solar heating system can be attached to any existing filtration plant. What better way is there than using the sun’s energy to heat your swimming pool?

Swimming Pool Installation and Commissioning

It usually takes 3 or 5 days for our team of engineers to install and commission a solar hot water system. If it is a large system or the installation is complex it may take longer. Fitting a system causes minimal disruption. Your pool heating system will normally be switched off for just 1-day. Our engineers will always spend time with you to explain the functionality and operation of the components installed.