The principle is straight forward. When the sun is shining, water is pumped through the solar panel and is heated by solar energy. This heated water then flows through a heat exchanger, warming the water stored in the hot water cylinder. The hot water in the cylinder can then be used for washing and bathing as required, with your boiler providing backup heating.
In the summer the water in the cylinder can reach a temperature of 80 deg C within half a day, and the insulation on the cylinder will keep the water warm for the next day. Typically the solar hot water system will reduce your domestic hot water bill by 50% - 60%.
A typical system
The systems sold by Renewables Ireland have four main components:
- A 2.7m2 solar collector panel (or more if required).
- A pre-assembled unit comprising of a pump, control unit and small drain back vessel.
- A hot water cylinder with solar heat exchanger.
- A PV module, or mains, power supply.
These components are plumbed together using insulated microbore copper pipe, before filling the solar system with normal tap water. The solar hot water system is normally set up in conjunction with the existing boiler. Systems can be fitted to new buildings or retrospectively. The panels can be either integrated into the roof or placed on an over-roof mounting frame.
Contact us for more information.