How does solar work? 

For domestic hot water there are three main components

Solar panels or collectors - these are fitted to your roof. They collect heat from the sun's radiation. There are 2 main types of collectors:

Flat plate systems - which are comprised of an absorber plate with a transparent cover to collect the sun's heat, or

Evacuated tube systems - which are comprised of a row of glass tubes that each contain an absorber plate feeding into a mainfold which transports the heated fluid.

A heat transfer system - uses the collected heat to heat water;

Hot water cylinder - stores the hot water that is heated during the day and supplies it for use later.

Is solar suitable for me?

Solar water heating can be used in the home or for larger applications, such as swimming pools. For a domestic system you will need 3-4 square metres of southeast to southwest facing roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day. You'll also need space to locate an additional water cylinder if required.

Choosing a system suitable to your needs requires consideration of a range of factors, including the area of south facing roof, the existing water heating system (e.g. some combination boilers aren't suitable) and your budget. As competent installers we will be happy to asses each individual situation and give advice.

In England, changes to permitted development rights for micro generation technologies introduced on 6th April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most solar water heating installations. Roof mounted and stand-alone systems can now be installed in most dwellings, as long as they respect certain size criteria.

Maintenance costs

Solar water heating systems generally come with a 5-10 year warranty and require little maintenance. A yearly check by the householder and a more detailed check by a professional installer every 3-5 years should be sufficient. Not only do we carry out the installation but we have a dedicated team who will look after all your maintenance needs.