Solar panels and energy crunch forum

Myth 1 - Solar panels do not work well in the UK

Apart from the UK receiving 60% of the solar energy which the equator gets, depending on the solar panel system and quality, you can benefit from solar energy even on cloudy days. Here, is why:

Clouds contain air and water, both transparent substances that hardly absorb any visible light.

Light can travel many tens of metres into cloud, but eventually it will it will hit a water droplet, which will scatter the light changing its direction although only slightly. Light will enter a cloud and be dispersed out into random directions.

The solar energy hitting a solar panel will still be there, but less of a direct hit due to the scattering effect.

Think of shrapnel hitting as opposed to a direct bullet.

Myth 2 - Another solar panel myth is PV powered solar pumps are better?

In government side by side testing this was found to be untrue, and in our own private tests on our own properties, we have tested the PV solar powered pump and the results were exceptionally poor.

The reason is remarkably straightforward PV solar panels are only 15% efficient but hot water solar tubes and even flat solar panels work at 70 - 80% efficiency. This big difference in efficiency causes the pump not to work even when you do get heat gain in the panels or tubes. This means the hot water produced on a cloudy day in the UK is waisted because the PV panel is not working.

We do not install PV-powered solar tubes or flat panels because you would not get the full efficiency out of your system.

Myth 3 - Flat panel solar is more efficient than evacuated solar tubes?

The most common solar myth perpetrated by flat solar technology salespersons, with a juicy commission to earn.

In any test ever done on solar panels, and I include our own government backed DTI side by side tests done in the UK, evacuated tubes technology was found to be the most efficient by far. The reason for this is that the tubes catch the sun better at all times of the day than flat plate panels. That said flat panels do work well in the UK we do sell both systems, so we are not byes to any particular technology. Some people prefer the aesthetics of flat panels, but some people prefer the performance of solar tubes.

Just bare in mind that if a salesperson says flat panels are more efficient, and are probably thinking more what to spend their commission cheque on, rather than being truthful.

Myth 4 - I do not have to change my hot water tank to install a solar panel?

Yes, in most cases, your existing hot water tank will be old and extremely inefficient. A lot of hot water tanks have a build up of limescale on the inside which reduces the efficiency and the volume. Strapping a solar panel to your roof and attaching to your old tank would be like converting your car to LPG and running it on flat tyres.

An old cylinder will need to be replaced, and we not only install solar panels or solar tubes, but we modernise your whole heating system so it will be efficient and working well with the solar in 25-30 years time.

Installing to an old tank is a false economy because you will need to replace your old tank anyway 5 years from now.

Myth 5 - It is not financially viable to install solar panels?

This originates from a time when we had plenty of cheap energy and solar panels were only bought by environmental types. Times have changed, and energy prices have risen up to 92% since those golden cheap energy days. With peak oil, a real possibility over the next few years and demand from Asia is only going to increase the scarcity of oil and gas globally. Some say the energy crunch is coming.

So solar panels over the course of their lifespan (30+ years for a quality system) will not only pay for themselves quicker over time but will provide relief from your energy bills.

I did not even mention the increase in house price, which is obvious in today's energy climate.

Myth 7 - Solar panels grants will increase

Again, the global financial situations mean our UK government can no longer afford to give everyone a subsidy for solar. Our country has borrowed to the hilt, and our government still has to replace the due for de-comissioning power stations and energy infrastructure which needs replacing. The current solar grant scheme will expire and dry up in 2009, and no one ion the solar industry is optimistic for this to be replaced.

It has never been such a fabulous time to install a solar panel to your home. (See myth 6)

Another solar myth busted!

If you do not have a fully south facing home or you have an east/west split home, many solar panel companies will say you need x2 panels on each side. This is not the case.

If you have just a west facing solar panel installed, then this will provide you with around 80% of the performance of a fully south facing. This set up means you loose a bit of performance in the morning, but gain it in the evening time.

If you require full performance through the full day, then yes get x2 solar panels on each roof, but its not necessary.

I have been installing solar systems since 2001.

Ian C

Great piece. I feel a lot more educated on solar now. Cheers

Unfortunately, I am one of the under class or working class people and unable to afford solar panels on my modest home. But even I can see that these things are now a nifty idea.

I have learned a lot from this website and thank you guys for all your help.