solar energy in kent Installing Solar Water Heating panels

Thanet array seen from top of North Downs near Lenham. Turbines are about 30 miles away - see map

 



Headlines

Lack of engineers could scupper renewables revolution
Sunday Times says 60,000 heating engineers are interested in fitting renewable energy devices but are put off by the three-year certification process
Climate change human link evidence 'stronger'
A review from the UK Met Office says it is becoming clearer that human activities are causing climate change. It says the evidence is stronger now than when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change carried out its last assessment in 2007.
GOVERNMENT DELIVERS RAW DEAL FOR SOLAR THERMAL INDUSTRY
Today the Solar Trade Association welcomed the announcements by Ed Milliband regarding solar energy, but expressed disappointment that the proposed rate of investment will be lower than that for other green energy technologies.
Round 3 zones and developers
Crown estates have anounced the major Round 3 offshore zones and developers

energy saving trust

Clear Skies

Feed in tariffs
Preparation: The following images record the installation of a Genersys solar water heating system on my roof. The roof comes down to ground floor level so scaffolding was not required, however we installed a scaffold tower to allow for the easy rasing of the panels.
  

Laying out and checking the lengthwise support brackets
The lead inlet panel. This replaces a slate and provides weather protection where the pipes from the solar panels enter the roof.
Checking the position of the joists.
  

Using a Diamond Core drill to drill the holes for the panel supports.

Once the Slates have been drilled, the joist is pre drilled prior to screwing in the support bolt.

    

The bolt assembly is screwed into the joist to provide a solid base for the solar panels.

The assembly is screwed down onto a foam washer which is held by a stainless steel cup. the washer prevents any water coming into the roof.

    

Bolt, foam washer, cup and support in place - 11 more to do!
    
    
The stress is taken by the joist not the slate! the bolt is tightened to compress the foam, not to put undue pressure on the roof covering.
    
Brackets mounted on support bolts ready to take the cross members on which will sit the solar water heating panels.

  

Pump Station, expansion tank and new hot water tank in place ready for connection to solar water panels.
Images include Chris Flaherty from Vtec, a genersys authorised installer who carried out the installation.