Solar Thermal Panels
Solar Thermal Panels
Solar Thermal Panels
Solar thermal panels collect energy from the sun and turn it directly into heat. This heat can then be used for hot water, heating, pool/hot tub heating and many other applications - including cooling!.
The most common use for the heat is to provide hot water. The panels connect directly to your hot water cylinder. This reduces the amount of fuel needed to heat the water (gas, propane, electric, oil or solid fuel) giving both financial and Carbon Dioxide savings.
There are 2 main types of collectors :- Flat Plate or Vacuum Tube. Which type we will recommend for you depends on several factors including when you use your hot water, how much space you have available, what water temperature you are trying to produce and aesthetics (sometimes as a result of planning permission). Generally, vacuum tubes are more efficient so take up a smaller area, are better suited for hotter water and winter performance. Flat plate collectors are more cost effective for summer use (e.g. campsites with large roof areas available and swimming pools).
Our most popular system is the Schott ETC16 vacuum tube collector. Most households require 2 (up to 3 people) or 3 (up to 5 people) small panels. These will produce 50-70% of your annual hot water requirement. Costs are typically £3,200 - £3,800 for two panels and £4,000 - £4,600 for three panels. This includes changing your hot water cylinder for a suitable model, all controllers and valves, full professional installation and VAT. Householders are eligible for a grant of £400 through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme provided they meet certain criteria.
We provide a free, no-obligation design and estimation service. To see if your property is suitable for solar installation, call us on 01736 740955 or email on trenowin@btconnect.com to arrange an appointment.