How Solar Thermal Systems Work
The solar panels collect energy from the sun, which in turn heats the fluid in the solar panels. When the fluid in the panels is hot enough, the pump station circulates the hot fluid around the system.The fluid reaches the coil at the bottom of the cylinder and heats the water contained therein.
The solar controller is the brain of the system, managing the solar system during the daylight hours, enabling you to time your hot water, just like a central heating programmer, and measure the amount of energy that you have gained from the sun.
If the temperature sensor in the cylinder detects that the solar panel has not collected enough energy to heat the hot water to the appropriate temperature, the supplementary heat source cuts in and tops up the temperature of the hot water so that it comes out of the taps at the temperature required.
A Few Facts
Renewable energy solutions have been around for some time now. Many thousands of ecologically minded UK homeowners have taken green initiatives in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint in one way or another, not least of all by installing solar thermal hot water systems in their homes.
Climate change is upon us. This has increased our focus on alternative energy sources, such as solar thermal water heating, and a greater understanding is emerging that even normal daylight is sufficient to generate hot water via solar collectors. The sunny climes of the continent are not the sole beneficiaries of the most abundant power source on the planet, the sun.
How Much Of Our Water Heating Energy Needs Could Be Provided By Solar?
During the summer months as much as 100% of the energy needed could be provided by solar. In winter, despite the lower intensity of the sun’s rays and fewer daylight hours as much as 30% could be solar. On average throughout the year up to 70% of a dwelling’s hot water requirement can be provided by solar power.
The balance is normally provided by traditional means, either indirect (via a gas, oil or electric boiler) or direct (via electric immersion heaters in the cylinder).
