Flat plate - Solar heating panels installations

Why, we're passionate about solar heating panels?

An investment in your home and your energy future with the current solar heating panels with a life span of 30 years. Solar panels have never made such financial sense in a world of unending fuel price rises.

Learn about solar heating

Solar Panels Heating Installations for UK Homes

In a nutshell, flat plate solar panels, commonly known as solar heating panels, add a supplemental heating source for your hot water tank which works all year round, simply by using the solar energy which continually bombards your roof.

Solar heating panels made easy

A solar panel installation is like converting a car into a hybrid running on LPG. After the initial investment, your car or in this case, your home will operate efficiently and cheaply for the next 30 years.

From March to October your boiler will not need to switch on, and in winter, the solar will reduce your boilers running time. In addition, we modernise and bring your heating system up to current building regulation standards. Installing solar is only a small part of that.

Solar heating installation options:

On roof or in roof like a velux window.
On walls vertically or flat roof on an A-frame

No planning permission needed in most cases.

How these supersede other solar panels?

This solar panel technology includes the patented Low E glass. This uses a distinct low iron glass formula which has reduced the reflective properties and increases the absorption.

The critical coated surface is not even. It contains thousands of tiny pyramids, which increase's the absorption surface area.

The solar central heating control system, works side by side with your solar panel technology, bringing a more energy efficient heating system than a standard set up. Contributes all year round.

Combi boilers are possible but, please bear in mind, that we will need to re-install a hot water tank. Most homes with combi's will not have the space to install a domestic sized hot water tank. If your able to re-install a hot water tank, then yes an installation may be possible.

From March to October every year, my oil guzzling boiler is left dormant.

Size: 2206 x 1205 x 80 mm.
Aperture Area: 2.15 m2.
Weight: 55 kg.
Glazing: 4mm toughened low iron glass.
Absorption: 95%.
Max pressure: 10 bar.
Standard pressure: 3 bar.
Horizontal and vertical option.
Mounting options available.
In-roof or on-roof options.

Renewable Heat Incentive scheme

Beat the banks and energy companies - The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme is a feed-in tariff which pays a fixed amount per kw h of heat generated. Those who install renewable heat equipment, such as solar heating panels and air/ground source heat pumps will benefit from this additional incentive payment, giving an average of 8% return on investment.

Payments made on systems up to 20 KW and paid 8.5p per kw h produced even if used by yourself and index linked payments.

The golden age of cheap energy is over. We must all be responsible for reducing household dependence on this increasingly expensive fossil fuels.

Common questions about installation

Solar panels are no longer viewed just as a green product. Most people installing solar panels today do so to reduce dependency on expensive fossil fuels, or as an investment opportunity which will earn and save them more money than keeping the money in the bank.

Most homes are suitable, if you have a S/SE/SW or east/west facing roof space, then probably. Your internal plumbing set up will need to be checked for compatibility, and this can be done through our free home survey and "get a quote" service.

The UK receives 60% of the solar radiation compared with the equator. Each square metre of the UK receives between 900 to 1,300 kw h annually of solar radiation each year.

The cost of a solar heating system depends on several factors, usually based on water tank sizes. A property survey and consultation appointment can be arranged through our "get a quote" service.

1. Evacuated solar tubes heat up due to the sun's short-wave radiation output converting to long-wave radiation.

2. The solar controller controls a variable speed pump based on temperature outputs.

3. The circulation pump circulates a special fluid through the hot solar collector and trough a heat exchanger in your hot water cylinder; the heat is transferred to your cylinder.

5. System shuts down automatically when, not in use, or when the collector temperature is lower than the cylinder.

6. Your solar collector will store up heat even on cloudy days, so when the controller detects useable heat it will start up again.

When solar radiation or solar energy hits an object, the short-wave radiation is converted to long-wave radiation and this process creates heat.

Yes, glazed flat panels and evacuated solar tubes. Usually a flat panels salesmen will say their system performs best, and solar tubes salesmen, will say the same. Independent testing has concluded that evacuated tubes perform best in the UK climate and flat panels closely second.

Also, another flat solar panel with unglazed plastic panels with rubber pipes. This is one of the lowest performing of the technologies tested in a government DTI test.

Very simply, old copper hot water tanks run extremely efficiently when new, but after many years of use, lime scale will reduce the efficiency by a large percentage. When installing solar, we will also install a new, modern super efficient tank, to get the most out of your solar panels.

"Adding a solar panel to an old tank would be like converting your car
to LPG and running it on semi flat tyres"

This depends on the type of set up you install. We would need to survey your home to see if our solar heating management system is suitable. In most cases then solar can contribute to your central heating, but not all solar installation companies offer this technology.

1. If you can face the tubes roughly towards the sun. South, southwest or southeast roofs are ideal. Even east or west roofs usually offer 85% of the performance.

2. If your hot water cylinder is twin coiled. It does not matter if you don't as we can install a solar compatible and more efficient tank as part of your installation.

3. Listed buildings, conservation area homes, national parks may need consent. Please consult with your local planning officer.

Unless, one already have a solar compatible tank (twin coils) then a tank change will be required.

Yes, a surveyor will advise on up to date efficient systems with your solar panels.

This rather depends on the solar panel technology installed and the density of the cloud. Flat plate panels do not contribute as much as evacuated solar tubes in these conditions. In moderate cloud density, solar energy can still be used. With, heavy dark, dense cloud cover, probably not. Use your solar powered calculator out on a cloudy day and it will still work.

Around half a tonne each year, but is dependant on how much hot water one use's and how your system currently heats your water at present.

Yes, flat panels are specifically developed for the UK climate and allow the inside of the solar tubes or panels to get very hot regardless of the outside air temperature.

In most cases no, however, but having Part P electrical and plumbing skills, then it may be possible to install in a diy capacity. New diy solar water heating panels and evacuated tubes self-install kits are available.

All eligible solar installations must be carried out and certified by an accredited MCS solar installer.

Evacuated solar tubes and solar panels in general are becoming a key necessity for small and large companies alike. If using hot water during your daily operations, then including solar into your business plan can reward, with lower running costs in an expensive world of energy.

The golden age of cheap energy is over. We must all be responsible for reducing dependence on this increasingly expensive fossil fuels as they continue to rise further down the timeline.

As with anything in life, you get what you pay for, so a cheap option will be a false economy when efficiency and performance are concerned.

The MCS accredited solar panels come with a full 15 year warranty and performance life span of 30 plus years.

"I had often thought about having a solar hot water system installed, having seen many of such systems in South Africa where we used to live, but never thought they would work effectively in the United Kingdom.

It was not long before the call came and an appointment arranged. I could not wait for the system to be up and running. The efficient way in which appointment was arranged was most impressive. Your solar surveyor arrived promptly for the appointment and was very professional while still spending time to make sure he answered all our questions.

Being able to heat our hot water by the sun was probably the deciding factor to have the system installed. This means having our boiler switched off during the summer months and supplementing in the colder months. The bonus of a government payment scheme is quite unbelievable making a particularly respectable return on our investment.

Our evacuated tubes system has been running for a few weeks, and we have had all the hot water we need for our family home, in fact, it is hotter than from the boiler saving the amount of water we use, as well. Our boiler has been off since the system was installed.

The installation was carried out with little inconvenience to ourselves and the team cleaned up around as they worked. We have already recommended your company to neighbours, family and friends."
Mr Cook, Wiltshire

"Since my solar was operational, we have noticed a significant reduction in the frequency with which the boiler switches in to heat the water even though the weather has not been particularly bright since it was installed."
Mrs Holmes, Berkshire