Heat water for your home using energy from the sun.

Solar water heating systems use free heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water. A conventional boiler or immersion heater can be used to make the water hotter, or to provide hot water when solar energy is unavailable.

What benefits are there from using a solar thermal system?

A Solar Thermal system captures the energy of the sun and uses it to heat your hot water. In a typical family home, a Solar Thermal system will provide you with 60 – 70% of your water heating for free each year.

During the summer months the system will provide you with nearly all your hot water requirements and during the winter, around half. Solar Thermal systems can also be used in commercial buildings and have been used to heat swimming pools.

 Solar Thermal Evacuation Tubes

How does it work?

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature you want.

There are two types of solar water heating panels:

- evacuated tubes (as in the picture above)
- flat plate collectors.

Larger solar panels can also be arranged to provide some contribution to heating your home as well. However, the amount of heat provided is generally very small and it is not normally considered worthwhile.

 Wagner Flat Plate Collector Panel

Savings

Solar water heating systems can achieve savings on your energy bills. Savings will vary from user to user and will depend on usage of gas and electricity in the property.

Typical carbon savings are around 230kgCO2/year when replacing gas and 510kgCO2/year when replacing electric immersion heating.

Payback periods vary considerably depending on a number of factors including the type of fuel displaced and the amount of hot water you use.

Earnings

You may be able to receive payments for the heat you generate from a solar water heating system through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive . This scheme was launched in December 2011 for commercial systems, the RHI for domestic systems will start in 2012, but details are yet to be announced. For more information on the incentives available on commercial systems click here

Until April 2012, domestic householders may be able to get help with the installation costs of a new solar water heating system through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme. To apply for this contact the Energy Saving  Trust. Payments are usually £300 per solar thermal installation before end March 2012.