Solar Thermal Systems
Solar Thermal generates free hot water from the power of the sun, saving you hundreds of pounds each year. It is a sensible and sustainable alternative to heating hot water, particularly where you are off the mains gas network and paying huge oil or solid fuel bills. HOW DOES SOLAR THERMAL WORK? Solar Thermal systems provide hot water from the heat of the sun providing on average 60% of your families hot water needs across the year. Thermal collectors, held within the panels on a roof, harness the suns warmth to heat up fluid in the solar collectors, which is then circulated through a coil in the hot water cylinder to heat up the water. HOW MUCH HOT WATER CAN I PRODUCE? For large parts of the year, a solar thermal system should meet ALL of your hot water needs, but this will greatly depend on the size of the system installed. Even during the winter, the water is heated above standard mains temperature meaning that your conventional boiler doesn't have to work so hard to heat your water. WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES? As well as the savings on your annual energy bills, Solar Thermal installations benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This means that the government will pay you to generate your own hot water for 7 years!