Solar Hot Water Systems and Solar Water Heaters

Using solar energy to heat water is the most established and affordable way to harness the power of the sun. It's also the easiest way to generate free domestic electricity.

The most efficient solar panels can operate in natural sunlight and do not require direct sunlight—a crucial factor for the UK market. Designed specifically for the Northern Hemisphere, retractable tubes can convert up to 97% of sunlight into energy.

They maximize the amount of light captured per square meter, so it makes sense to choose the largest diameter tube possible. They also retain the most heat within the vacuum, ensuring optimal performance year-round. Experience shows that solar panels suitable for an average family home can reduce their carbon footprint by around 400kg per year.

Trends

Most solar panels are ideally mounted on roof structures facing south or southeast. They should be angled between 30° and 40° from the horizontal for maximum efficiency. Panels can be mounted anywhere from west, south, or east to generate energy. While south-facing is optimal, any orientation for south-facing panels is crucial for efficient operation.

Any shading, such as from tall trees or other buildings, will block light from reaching the thermal cells, so thermal exposure is important. Lower temperatures will not affect output—performance is determined by the quality of the pure light.

No Planning Permission Required

Planning permission is generally not required unless the structure is listed, or the property is within a conservation area or World Heritage Site.

Financial Compensation

The financial savings of installing solar panels are significant. As a domestic consumer, we currently consume approximately 20-25% of our annual energy costs for heating water. A solar hot water system can provide 50-70% of a household's annual hot water needs, significantly reducing outgoing energy costs. During late spring, summer, and early autumn, most of your hot water needs will be met by your system, with around 50% met in the winter months.

To complement the feed-in tariff for solar, the Coalition Government announced details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for solar heating systems in March 2011. The RHI offers a similar set of incentives to those in other countries and is the first of its kind worldwide.

The national version of the RHI will be fully launched by the end of 2012. Long-term payments will be extended to all homes with eligible solar installations fitted since July 2009*.