Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is solar thermal?
Q. What components go to make up a solar thermal system?
Q. When is a house suitable for solar power?
Q. Is the United Kingdom sufficiently sunny?
Q. What proportion of my hot water requirements can I cover with a solar thermal system?
Q. How can a solar energy system help save the environment?
Q. In what ways can solar thermal systems be used?
Q. How much energy can I really save?
Q. Do you need planning permission to install a system?
Q. How do I fit a solar energy system?
	Q. What is solar thermal? Solar thermal is the specialist term for heat produced using solar energy. Thermal collectors convert sunlight into heat which is used for hot water and to supplement conventional heating systems or to heat swimming pools. It may also be used to heat air directly using air collectors. Q. What components go to make up a solar thermal system? Solar thermal systems consist of a collector array, storage cylinder, solar circuit and a control unit with pump. The whole system is connected together by pipes in which solar fluid circulates as a heat transfer medium. Q. When is a house suitable for solar power? Almost any building is suitable for a solar installation. The roof or façade on which the solar collectors are installed must face south, east or west. Shading caused by trees or houses should be avoided. A solar thermal system also requires a suitable location for the hot water storage cylinder. Q. Is the United Kingdom sufficiently sunny? Every year the Earth receives 10,000 times as much solar energy as the human race currently needs. In Germany alone for example, an annual total of 300 billion kilowatt hours of solar energy is available. There is an average of 1,000W of direct and indirect solar radiation per square meter. This is the fuel equivalent to almost 100 litres of heating oil. Q. What proportion of my hot water requirements can I cover with a solar thermal system? Solar thermal systems are generally dimensioned so that over 60% of energy requirements are met by the solar installation. When used to supplement a conventional heating system, approximately the same amount of energy can also be saved. Q. How can a solar energy system help save the environment? A solar installation generates energy and therefore reduces energy requirements from conventional energy like oil, gas, coal or uranium. CO2 emissions are reduced accordingly (not in comparison with nuclear power). Furthermore, environmental damage through transport, extraction and processing of raw materials or through the final storage of spent fuels is avoided. Q. In what ways can solar thermal systems be used? There are four main types of use: Systems for hot water Solar energy systems for hot water and auxiliary heating Systems for heating swimming pools (mostly in conjunction with the above) Systems for air heating Q. How much energy can I really save? A solar thermal system will generally allow you to save over 60% of the energy required to generate hot water. Q. Do you need planning permission to install a system? No planning permission is required to install a solar energy system. However, if a building is listed then the relevant authority will have to decide, however we feel it is always in your best interests to consult local planning authorities regarding restrictions that may be in place in your area. Q. How do I fit a solar energy system? There are the following installation types: On-roof installation Flat-roof installation Integrated/complete roof installation system Canopy installation Façade installation call us on 020 8308 0708 to discuss further details