Is my house suitable for Solar Thermal panels? There are a number of questions that we need to ask to determine the answer to this question. If you have an un-shaded roof area of around 3-4 sq metres then normally speaking your roof should be suitable for the installation of the panels. In addition we need to consider your current hot water heating system to comment accurately on this subject. Please feel free to call to discuss your specific requirements. 0161 476 2220.
What are the costs of installation? As a guide we can normally install Solar Thermal panels along with a new hot water cylinder, on a house with an average family of 4 people for approximately £2500.
Are there any grants available towards the cost of installing Solar Thermal?
The DTI “Clear Skies” program runs a grant system for the installation of Solar Thermal. They are currently offering a maximum of £400 per installation. There are a number of conditions which need to be met to achieve the grant and the DTI are about to transfer responsibility for the grants to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Essentially the available funds are also ever changing. For this reason please contact us for further details if you are interested in a grant subsidised installation.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
Normally planning permission is not required. However we would always recommend that you check with the planning department in your local council if you have any reservations regarding this. Listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas may be subject to different planning rules.
Where will you install the panels?
We will install the panels on a wall or roof, which is closest to south facing. Anywhere between South West and South East will give good results. If your property position dictates that we are limited to facing the panels in an East-West direction, then we may need to install one panel facing in each direction (East and West) to provide the same amount of hot water as a south-facing position.
Does the roof need to be strengthened to take the extra weight of the Panels?
A typical domestic Solar Thermal installation will weigh in at around 50kg – 70kg. Most roofs are designed and built to withstand extra weight caused by snow and rainwater. In comparison to the weight of the roofing materials the extra weight of the Panels is nominal. Generally if the roof is in good condition there is no requirement to strengthen it, prior to mounting solar panels.
How do I determine which size of Solar Thermal Panel will suit my needs? We will specify the size required in order to meet your hot water requirements. There are a number of factors, which determine the specification: - 1. Your hot water requirements. 2. The face direction /position of the panels on your roof. A typical installation in the UK would consist of a 2 kwp - 2.5kwp system. (Kwp = the maximum power produced under ideal conditions). Solar 7 will carry out a survey to determine your exact Hot Water requirements and recommend the correct size accordingly.
Are there different designs of Thermal Solar Panels (Collectors)?
Yes, there are two principal designs available. Flat Plate Panel’s and Vacuum Tube Panel’s.
Which type of design is most suitable to my application, Flat Panel or Vacuum Tube?
When comparing the same size of each different type of panel, a vacuum tube panel will produce a similar amount of hot water as a flat plate panel on a hot sunny day. However the similarity stops here. A vacuum tube panel will out-perform a flat plate panel, usually significantly, during all other types of weather. We therefore recommend vacuum tube panels for use within the UK
What are the physical sizes of The Solar Thermal Panels (Collectors) that you install?
The 10 tube double-walled tube collector (47mm tubes) is 1760x 760 x130mm (LxWxH)
The 20 tube double-walled tube collector (47mm tubes) is 1760x1500x130mm (LxWxH)
The 30 tube double-walled tube collector (47mm tubes) is 1760x2170x130mm (LxWxH)
The 20 tube double-walled tube collector (58mm tubes) is 1900x1660x200mm (LxWxH)
The 30 tube double-walled tube collector (58mm tubes) is 1900x 2406 x200mm (LxWxH)
The 10 tube single-walled tube collector (70mm tubes) is 1760x1000x130mm (LxWxH)
The 20 tube single-walled tube collector (70mm tubes) is 1760x 1950 x130mm (LxWxH)
What is the difference between the single-walled and double-walled solar panels?
The difference relates to the design of the solar tubes. The standard tubes are double-walled, with a vacuum between the two walls of the glass. The centre is filled with air and the heat pipe runs up through the centre. The single walled tube is entirely filled with a vacuum, and a glass-metal weld sealing the heat pipe to the glass seals the vacuum. The single walled tube has a marginal advantage over the double-walled tube in that it reacts much quicker to sunlight. A 10tube single walled panel (70mm diameter tubes) produces about 10% less heat than a standard 20tube double-walled panel (47mm diameter tubes).
How delicate are the tubes within the Solar Panels? The tubes are made from borosilicate glass (or Pyrex), which is extremely resilient to temperature change and extremes of weather. (The tubes are designed to withstand hailstones up to 35mm).
What about the risk of damage through freezing, during Cold Weather?
We fill all Solar Thermal systems with an antifreeze solution, which has been specifically developed for the use in high performance vacuum tube Solar Thermal systems. This affords protection to minus 28 deg C.
What is the output of a Solar Thermal panel in terms of kWh?
This varies according to the time of year. In the summer months we get approximately 10 times more solar energy than in the winter months. In the summer, you can expect to obtain an average of 14kWh of heat per day from a single 20 tube panel, compared with in December when you can only expect an average of 1.15kWh per day. Depending on the number of panels installed, during the winter months on clear sunny days, it is possible to heat your water to 40C and more.
Will you replace our current hot water cylinder?
In most cases we will replace your hot water cylinder for a modern more efficient model. Our engineers will discuss your requirements with you and advise accordingly.
Can I use Solar Thermal with a Mains Pressure Hot Water Cylinder?
You can use a mains pressure hot water system with Solar Thermal. Solar 7 engineers have completed specific training for this application. Please call for further details.
Can I heat my property with Evacuated Solar Tube Panels?
Heating your house with Thermal Solar is more complex than just heating hot water. One of the most obvious issues is that we mostly require our space heating during the winter months and at night, when solar energy production is at it’s lowest. Solar water heating on the other hand, can be effective even in the winter, as the hot water which has been generated during the day can be stored for use at all times.
If you have any further questions that are not covered in this section, then please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to answer your questions. Tel 0161 476 2220. Enquiries@solar7.co.uk