Solar Thermal systems can supply up to 80% of free hot water throughout the year. In the summer months that increases to 95%.
The panels or tubes are usually fitted to the roof but can be fully integrated. The panels absorb the sun's energy which heats hot water through a heat transfer system which is stored in a dedicated hot water cylinder. Once installed, solar thermal systems have virtually no running costs.
These systems are typically used for hot water, however they can be used to provide heating too. Where the solar hot water cylinder is fully charged or the energy gain is low the solar energy can be delivered into the heating system of the property instead
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With the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive payment scheme (RHI) which now includes non-domestic installations this is a great time to invest in Solar thermal for your home or business.
And in September 2017 RHI payments were increased to 10.02 pence for 7 years for each unit of heat produced. Solar thermal arrays do not require the same roof space as Solar PV nor do they need to be South facing yet systems can be designed to meet the majority of your hot water requirements
Systems can also be sized to meet the variable demands of a business property. Contact Solec to find out more.
We were spending over £3000 a year on Oil and switched (to be more environmentally friendly) to an Air Source Heat Pump. We off set the cost of running the Heat Pump with Solar PV. It's early days to see how much we are saving but we are earning over £1000 a year in incentives and we are on the lower FiT rate for our Solar due to the age of the property.
Mr P October 2015