Solar Water Heating

Solar evacuated tubes

Solar water heating can be used for domestic water heating and for large-scale applications such as heating swimming pools.

Solar water heating is the cheapest renewable installation for your home and can work as an add-on to standard gas, oil or electric heating systems and in conjunction with other renewable heating systems.

A typical Scottish installation will provide nearly 100% of domestic hot water demand in the summer months and around 50% over the course of the year.

Solar Water Heating - Specifications
System requirements Southerly facing roof space - for panels to capture the heat from the sun. Space for a hot water cylinder - to store the heated water until it is used. Auxillary heating - a heating system to provide top up water heating.
Two types of solar collector Flat Plate, versatile, cheaper and more robust. Evacuated Tube, a little more expensive, more efficient (particularly in winter months), and can be installed on a flat roof, but more delicate.
Typical Domestic System Rule of thumb - 1m² of panel can produce 50 litres of hot water Need about 50l ie 1m² of panel per person Typical installation 3-4m² Little maintenance and low running costs Lifetime 25 years
System Cost - £4,500 to £5,500. Energy Savings - 1m² = 450 kWh/yr so 4m² = 1,800kWh/yr
Development Issues - Now classed as permitted development, although planning permission may be required on a listed building or in a conservation area. A Building Warrant may be required.
More information Solar Trade Association www.solartradeassociation.org.uk www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-water-heating

Solar Water Heating - Specifications

System requirements

Southerly facing roof space - for panels to capture the heat from the sun.
Space for a hot water cylinder - to store the heated water until it is used.
Auxillary heating - a heating system to provide top up water heating.

Two types of solar collector

Flat Plate, versatile, cheaper and more robust.

Evacuated Tube, a little more expensive, more efficient (particularly in winter months), and can be installed on a flat roof, but more delicate.

Typical Domestic System

Rule of thumb - 1m² of panel can produce 50 litres of hot water
Need about 50l ie 1m² of panel per person
Typical installation 3-4m²
Little maintenance and low running costs
Lifetime 25 years

System Cost

£4,500 to £5,500.

Energy Savings

1m² = 450 kWh/yr so 4m² = 1,800kWh/yr

Development Issues

Now classed as permitted development, although planning permission may be required on a listed building or in a conservation area. A Building Warrant may be required.