Solar Water Heating in the UK - FAQs
Will we need planning permission to install a Solar Water System?
Typically planning permission doesn't need to be granted before installing a domestic Solar Water Heating system under 9m2. Exceptions include listed buildings or homes within protected areas or national parks. In our experience when presented wih sympathetic system designs local authority planners look favourably on the installation of these systems.
What will a system look like on my roof?
An average family home's domestic hot water needs can be supplied by 1 or 2 neat panel, similar in appearance to a large flat black velux window. Collectors can also be made from evacuated tubes which will look like flourescent tubes mounted together on a roof or wall.
How long will it take to get a system installed?
The first step is to carry out a survey of your property. The survey will cover off physical aspects such as where to place equipment, what style of panel(s) best suits the property and an evaluation of your existing energy infrastructure such as boilers and pipework. An average domestic installation takes 2 engineers between 1-2 working days to complete.
Can a Solar Hot Water System heat radiators?
As a rule a Solar Hot Water System wouldn't be able to heat the radiators found with typical Gas Central Heating Systems. This is due to not being able to heat the same volume of water neccessary due to space constraints on the roof and the size of the panels that would be needed. However Solar Hot Water systems can be succesfully integrated into underfloor heating systems. Also intelligent placement of storage tanks can negate the need for or replace some radiators. A lot of the options available are dependent on the existing layout of the house.
Do Solar Water Heating systems and Solar Electricity systems need different equipment?
The simple answer is yes, Solar Hot Water systems work on the principle of converting light into heat wheras a Solar Electricity installation will convert light into DC power i.e. electricity.
Do we still need a boiler?
A Solar Water Heating system is capable of producing 100% of a households hot water in the summer months. In winter when the days are shorter this can drop down to as low as 10%. To make up the difference in the winter moths you will either need to retain your boiler or find another back up water heating source. A good CO2 neutral complement to Solar Water Heating is a Biomass or wood burning boiler.
Is my property suitable for a Solar Hot Water system?
A quick look at your location will give you a good idea if a Solar Water Heating system can be installed. You are looking for physical free space of around 4m x 2m (front or back) with a solid structure that can hold the weight of the panels. The area of roof should also be unshaded by chimneys, trees or other properties and face anywhere from East through South (Ideal) to West.
Does it need to be sunny in order to work?
No, Solar Water heating systems utilise both direct and indirect sunlight. What's important is the amount of hours of daylight that is available. This is why 100% of your hot water needs can be easily achived in the summer months with quite a bit less (can be as low as 10-15% in some parts of the UK) in winter.
What’s my options if I don’t have a South-facing roof?
You can install an 'East-West' system which has a panel facing each direction, each panel working at different times of the day AM / PM.
What types of solar collectors are available?
There are two types of solar collector
- The most common type consists of flat plates with water pipes inside an insulated box with a glazed front. These are called Flat Plate Collectors.
- The second type, know as evacuated tubes, looks like an array of oversized fluorescent tubes. They produce more energy per unit area but are generally more expensive.
We have written an article about the types of Solar Collector that can be used with Solar Water heating systems here.
Do solar panels have to be fitted to a roof?
No, they can be mounted on a free-standing frame in the garden or on a flat roof or they can be mounted vertically on walls and balconies.