Solar panel and energy crunch forum

This technology is also known as solar thermal or solar hot water and is the most a popular solar technology option for households across the UK and Europe.

Solar panels heat-up a fluid, which circulates through, the solar panel and then through a heat exchanger within your the hot water cylinder heat wil be transferred to the cold water inside the cylinder.

If you already have a solar compatible, hot water cylinder (tank), or your hot water tank has a spare coil the installation is simplified, however, if you have do not have a solar ready cylinder then, we would be pleased to supply and or install one for you.

Consideration, I feel should be given to a grid tied PV system when you are not drawing from the system you, you are putting clean energy back into the grid increasing the reducing of carbon emissions. Although up to now, PV has been the dearer alternative to solar thermal, with new feeding tarrifs coming on line in 2010 I feel that PV is the better option when comparing the systems.

Hi Shane

This boils down to preference, budget and usage.

You are wrong to say solar thermal can only be used at peak times. With solar thermal you are able to store your hot water produced throughout the day, for use in the evenings. If your tank is well insulated this can be stored right through to the following morning time.

In an ideal world, all homes would have PV solar panels, but the costs simply make it unaffordable for most people. That is why solar thermal is popular. All homes need hot water, and a large chunk of everyones energy bills is caused by heating and keeping their hot water above 60 degree C level. Solar thermal, allows you to keep your boiler dormant for most of the year, and some in winter. Less energy being used, more lifespan added to their boiler and ultimately lower bills and emissions.

Solar Water Heating will provide 50 to 70% of your home’s annual hot water, reducing your energy bills and CO2 emissions.

Solar panel makes a statement about your families environmental commitments.

The UK's North Sea gas production provides a diminishing proportion of our domestic energy requirements leaving the UK to rely on imported, unstable and unsustainable Russian gas supplies.

A recent Financial Times article states: “The cost of energy, resources, materials and manufacturing is rising globally.”

It is likely that the financial cost of solar panels and their installation will rise in the future in line with the cost of energy, resources, materials and other manufacturing costs. Selling or thinking of selling your home? An Energy Saving Trust recent survey found:

“Home buyers would choose to buy a house with solar panels over a house with no solar panels."

I've heard that solar PV for domestic installations will be subsidised by the government. Is this true?

Hi John

Yes you are correct, although there are no concrete figures quoted, and it is still terribly much speculative idea's. The ideal is to follow Germany example for solar panels feed-in subsidies in the 1990's, but who know if our government can afford such a venture after 2 years of deep recession.

For your average domestic situation, we recommend solar panels of the hot water variety, whether evacuated tubes or flat solar. After all, all homes require hot water, especially homes with families with a large hot water demand.

A solar panel is for life, not just for christmas.

How many things can you think of that has a lifespan of 30 - 40 years. Think of how much energy would have risen in price in 10 years let alone 20 or 30 years, so suddenly installing solar panels seems more than a great idea, its going to be a necessity.

I have put my order for an installation in today, so I will let you know how it goes.

The converted.

I got solar panels on my roof 5 years ago. I have even had my granddaughters junior school class around my house so I could show them how the system works.

My granddaughter calls think granny is an eco warrior, which I utterly love. When she grows up, I know she will always think of me as a pioneer and that for me is priceless. It gives me hot water for a big part of the year, so I am so glad I did it.

Be the first

Solar panels are proven to be the most beneficial of all renewable, requiring no planning permission to install.

House prices

Adding solar panels to your property is the same as adding a conservatory, a large possible increase in your property price is possible.

Selling your home

In a world with Energy Assessment Certificates, homes with solar already installed will be snapped up, quicker.

Britains energy crunch

Did you know, 80% of British electric and gas supplies will come from Russia, leaving a national security threat bigger than the cold war? Our politicians will have no choice but to give in to Russias political demands in the 21st century.

Why not wind?

People in built up or suburban areas will not get planing permission to install. You need a exceptionally large wind turbine to make a dent in the average domestic energy bill. Most domestic houses are unsuitable for wind turbines.

Improved solar technology

Latest solar panels have improved vastly over the last few years. Specially designed for the UK climate. Harnessing the power of the sun has never been so easy.

UK energy pricing

May I quote “British Gas Managing Director - Mark Clare, said "the industry had no choice but to pass on the large increase in wholesale gas prices to the consumer". Mr Clare said "The wholesale price forecasts for 2006 are something like 50 percent higher than a few months ago. "Forward market prices are pretty ugly for early next ear and beyond". "All suppliers are going to have to put prices up in 2009, that’s inevitable". He added "higher gas prices means higher electricity prices too, because Gas 40 percent of the UK power stations".