Solar power

What is solar power and what does it do?

Solar panels are usually mounted on the roof.  Solar technology converts the radiation from the sun into hot water which is then piped into your water storage system – normally the hot water tank.

How does solar technology work?

Contained within the solar panels are tubes that contain a fluid which collects energy from the sun’s rays and then transfers it in the form of heat to water circulating through the panels. The water is then channeled into the building’s hot water system where it can be augmented and complemented by heat from other energy sources such as heat pumps, conventional boilers or traditional immersion heaters.

What is the environmental and financial case for solar technology?

Once installed, the only power needed to run the system is electricity to drive the pump and the heat generated is free. 
Since it can provide between 50-70% of annual domestic hot water requirements, the power generation savings are considerable whether you use gas, oil or electricity for the purpose.  Given global energy price trends those savings are set to grow substantially in the future. 
Perhaps even more importantly, in the event of power shortages, it makes you less reliant on traditional energy suppliers. 

How long do the panels last?

Products are improving all the time but most already come with at least a 25-year warranty.

How easy are they to install?

Mounting panels on your roof and running pipe-work to interconnect with an existing system can take as little as a couple of days.

What are the different types of panel available and what are the key benefits of each?

Tube collectors have glass tubes containing heat-collecting fluid within them that then transfers the heat to the water circulating through them. 
Flat plate collectors are based on a copper grid inside the insulated panel to absorb and transfer the solar energy to circulating water in the form of heat.