SOLAR KNOWLEDGE
The sun radiates enormous amounts of energy to the earth due to its surface temperature of 6000 degrees. In the UK we receive vast amounts of solar energy with the average amount of energy received in the year being as much as 60% of that received on the equator.
Today there are a range of high quality products which enable us to use the sun energy very effectively in the UK. Using and enhancing this energy reduces the amount of conventional fuels such as gas and oil and helps to reduce the amount of harmful greenhouse gases.
A well designed and installed solar system should provide most of the hot water needs of an average household for the sunniest 4 -6 months of the year. The rest of the time it will contribute to the heating needs. Over a year about 50-60% of your hot water will have been heated by the sun.
If your house has a south facing roof and free of shade, at an angle of between 20 and 50 degrees then solar can be an excellent addition to your energy needs. South easterly and south westerly roofs will also operate effectively and efficiently. Solar panels can also be fitted to flat roofs using an A frame.
A modern solar system can be easily fitted to your existing system through either evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors with the edition of a solar hot water cylinder, system controller and pump. These systems can be: open vented, drain back system or high tech fully pumped un-vented system. All systems are controlled by a central controller. Cost for theses systems range from £3500 depending on style of system and system specification.
There are 2 types of solar collectors (the main component of a solar heating system). The Flat Plate Collector and the Evacuated Tube Collector.
The Evacuator Tube with its selective surface is by far the more efficient of the two collectors. The Flat Plate Collectors have an advantage of being able to be built in to a roof. This collector has been widely used in the U.K. in conjunction with a drain back system.
Pressurised solar system using evacuator and flat plate collectors are common place in Europe and are becoming common place in U.K. Using all the latest design and installation methods and electrical controls these systems run themselves, giving you the benefit of free hot water while burning less fossil fuels.
With every installation the existing hot water cylinder will have to be replaced with a twin coiled solar cylinder. This allows your existing hot water and heating system to run in conjunction with a solar system. Your existing system will remain unchanged. The new solar cylinder comes in different sizes to suit every application including open vented, unvented G3.
Sun solar systems can incorporate a photovoltaics (CPU). This converts the suns energy into electricity that powers the solar system independently.
