Frequently Asked Solar Thermal Questions

Listed below you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If you don’t find what you are looking for then please feel free to contact us on 01244 405285 or alternatively drop us an email and one of the team will get back to you shortly.

Will I be able to heat all the water i need my house?

Solar water heating can be effective all yar round, even in the winter, as the amount of heat required is considerably less than that required to heat a house. We estimate that your solar thermal panels will provide between 50 and 80% of your hot water requirements over a whole year. It will vary depending on your usage habits. Part of our service is to educate you in how to get the most from your system.

How big are solar thermal panels?

The evacuated tubes we offer are these sizes;

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 1900x1660x130mm (LxWxH)
The 30 tube double-walled tube collector (58mm tubes) is 1900x 2406 x130mm (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)

Do I need a South facing roof?

The ideal orientation is South, however it is not essential. Many systems have been istalled on East and West facing roofs and have produced very good results. If direct South is 100% you should expect to achieve 80% on East and West facing roofs. We would never recommend to install on a North facing roof.

What is the Renewable Heat Incentive?

Thre Renewable Heat Incentive or RHI is an incentive scheme starting in April 2011 in the UK for non domestic properties, and OCtober 2012 for domestic poperties, intended to rewrd those who invest in renewable heating systems.

Virtually any heat-source which is renewables-powered. For most individuals, solar thermal, heatpumps and biomass are the most interesting options.

Are evacuated tubes better than flat plate collectors?

On a hot, sunny day, flat plate panels will produce the same amount of heat, more or less, as for vacuum tube panels of the same area. Under ALL other conditions, the vacuum tube panel will outperform flat plate panels - usually by a very significant margin. Flat plate panels perform badly during windy weather, in cold conditions, in overcast conditions etc. Some of the very best flat plate collectors can compensate for this with more advanced design, but even then, they still do not perform as well as vacuum tube panels. Even the best flat plates may underperform by 20% compared to a similar area vacuum tube panel in the UK.

What maintenance is required?

Very little maintenance is required for solar water heating systems. You should occasionally check the system pressure, to make sure there has been no water loss, and to check for any air in the system.

Will the panels freeze in cold weather?

The solar panel is very well insulated - the manifold is surrounded by 2"of rockwool insulation. This is better than your outdoor water pipes, so it is unlikely to freeze except in exceptionally cold weather. However, it is recommended that to prevent the possibility of pipes freezing, antifreeze is added to the system using non-toxic solar antifreeze)

Do I need planning permission?

Not normally if you live in England. We always advise that you check with your local planning authority if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland or if you live in a listed building or a conservation area. We have also encountered locations where councils have removed permitted planning rights (meaning planning permission is required for solar panel installation) and the customers had no idea! In the event planning permission is required, do not worry, we have successfully gained planning applications for a number of installations, even where the building is in the vicintity of a listed building!

Can solar panels be fitted on to shallow pitch or flat roofs?

Yes, but they will be inclined to achieve the correct pitch. You cannot fit them on asbestos or thatched roofs.

How long does it take to install the systems?

Fitting the panel/s to the roof will take only one day and your new solar thermal system should be up and running the same day. If however the installation is more complex and other plumbing and heating work is being done at the same time then this can take longer.

Can i use solar thermal panels to heat my swimming pool?

Yes this is a great application for solar thermal. The size of the panels and system set up depends on what area of pool you need to heat, how well insulated it is, whether it has a pool cover, if it is above/below ground, how many weeks of the year you need to use it etc. However, as a rule of thumb we recommend that you start with solar panels equivalent to 25% of the pool area, but you can increase this up to 35% if more heat is required. As the panels are modular, it is easy to upgrade the panels at a later date if required. We strongly recommend the use of a pool cover when the pool is not in use, as it dramatically reduces heat loss through evaporation.

If your question is not answered above, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to help!