solar water heating collectors

solar water heating collectors

Considering Buying Solar Panels?

I think that we all know that the Sun is an immensely powerful entity. But did you know that it transmits as much energy to the surface of the Earth in one hour, as the entire planet consumes in a whole year? The application of solar technology aims to capture and reuse some of that energy, converting it to either electricity or heat energy.

Before you even consider applying solar technology in the form of buying a solar panel or an array of solar panels, you should ensure that you house or business is efficiently insulated and up to current standards for double glazing, lost insulation, cavity or solid wall insulation, an efficient boiler and other energy saving measures. You can access grants for the installation of solar panels, but these could be turned down if your building isn't found to be as energy efficient as possible. You can make use of the Sun's energy by passively capturing the solar energy, but this would involve designing or redesigning your building to make the most of the Sun throughout the hottest and sunniest part of the day, typically 9 am to 3 pm. Actively capturing the Sun's energy involves use of solar panels.

So what types of solar panel are there? Basically there are two types of solar panel; water heating solar panels (those which make use of the Sun's energy to heat your domestic water for bathing and heating), and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels which convert solar energy to electricity.

Solar Water Heating Systems (also known as Solar Thermal) uses solar panels fitted to usually your roof to heat water for use around the home. There are two main types of solar water heating panels (flat-plate and evacuated tubes) which utilize water to be heated directly and pumped into the house. Evacuated tubes are more efficient than flat-plate versions, so tend to be smaller but generate equal amounts of hot water as the larger alternative. A typical system is said to be able to provide a third of a family's hot water needs, based on a typical family in a three bedroom semi detached house. Presently this could save you anything up to £100 per year. This is in addition to the British Government paying owners of such systems up to £200 a year under their renewable heat incentive.

There are several factors to consider before choosing a Solar Thermal System; your average hot water consumption, the area of the South-facing roof, the existing hot water system, and the depth of your pocket - how much can you afford to spend? Approximately one square metre of collector area is required per person. Each square metre of panel then requires up to 60 litres of water tank volume. The integrity of the roof where it is to be situated is also a consideration.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels work by generating electricity from the Sun's energy, which can then be used to run household appliances, or returned back to the grid for a financial rebate. They are able to do this by employing ultra-thin and extremely pure layers of a semi-conductor, typically silicon. There are three basic types of PV panel; monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. All are manufactured from silicon, but are different in the way that the silicon is employed.

You do not have to have the PV panels on a South-f acing roof or wall, but it does have to be within 90 degrees and without obstruction from trees or other buildings. The PV panels are considerably more expensive than, their essentially "clever plumbing", counterparts Solar Thermal panels. The cost of installing a system is typically between £8,000 and £15,000 dependent on the size of the property. The savings made are currently approximately 40% of your electricity needs - though this is dependent on the size of system installed.

There are obviously many things to consider before choosing to buy Solar Panels or indeed a solar heating system - cost being the main consideration. I can strongly recommend a large piece of paper and carrying out a cost versus benefits analysis. However, the long term benefits to your personal budget, carbon footprint and long-term future are considerable.

For more information on this subject and other issues concerning solar energy and alternative energy sources and the savings that can be achieved can be found at http://www.solarenergysavingsfacts.com/the-cost-of-solar-power.

Ben is a life-long researcher and educationalist whose passion is finding accessible means of alternative energy. He loves nothing more than to pass on his findings in an easy to read format via his blog at http://www.solarenergysavingsfacts.com.

Solar water heating panels. Survey your home for Solartwin!