Solar Thermal
Installing a solar thermal system could provide you with up to 60% of your domestic hot water needs throughout the year. Even in winter, when there is less sun, a solar thermal system is still capable of increasing the base temperature of your hot water cylinder meaning your current heating system does not have to work as hard. Solar thermal systems will also generate hot water on cloudy days - they don't need direct sunlight to function.
Financial benefits will depend on a variety of factors such as the number of occupants in the house and the related hot water consumption. There are other benefits - solar thermal systems are in general maintenance free - there is little to go wrong as there are no moving parts. The government have proposed a new incentive called the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) whereby renewable energy systems which produce heat will receive payments based on what is produced. The RHI is currently under consideration and consultation to decide precisely how the scheme will work and it is due to come into force in April 2011. See www.rhincentive.co.uk for further details.
We have partnerships with a number of manufacturers and suppliers meaning we can provide you with a choice. These partnerships also allow us to determine what system is most appropriate for your property as there are a number of factors to be considered: How much roof space is available and what is the orientation of the roof, what shading is there, how many people live in the property? With answers to these questions we can provide you with a bespoke solution from one of our partners.
For further information on the technology go to www.est.org.uk and www.solar-trade.org.uk.
