solar energy in kent Passive Solar Heating

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

 



Headlines

SOLAR tariff cuts risk jobs, industry warns
The feed-in tariff for SOLAR power is to be cut in half from 12 December of this year, the government has said.
UK SOLAR panel subsidies slashed
The UK government has proposed cuts of up to 70% to the feed in tariff for large scale SOLAR energy production. The proposal would be implemented on the 1 August, reducing payments to farmers or owners of large commercial buildings.
SOLAR panel regulator warns over door to door sellers
The government's new feed-in-tariff, which pays for electricity produced from the sun, is proving so popular it is being reviewed to ensure more money is available for consumers.
Government announcement on FiTs review will kill the renewable industry
The SOLAR Trade Association is dismayed at yesterday’s announcement of an early review of the feed in tariff by DECC Minister Chris Huhne.

energy saving trust

Clear Skies

 

Feed in tariffs

In the simplest sense, a conservatory or greenhouse.

Unfortunately it is impractical to consider using solar thermal panels for space heating. The same level of space heating can be gained by making the same area of the house that would be covered in solar panels, a window. This will let in both the light and the warmth of the sun in the form of infra red.

The heat is hopefully retained in the house. The best example of this is the use of a greenhouse which even on the coldest of winter days will trap considerable heat.

The ideal way of utilising passive solar heating is by installing a conservatory to the southern side of the house and ensuring that there is:

  • a way to draw the warmed air into the house.
  • sufficient available insulation to close the conservatory during the night when it is not needed for heating .
  • suitable covering or ventilation to stop overheating during the summer.

The one main drawback in terms of installing a conservatory is the likely difficulty of getting planning permission even when presented as an environmentally friendly passive solar heating facility.

The original part of my house is from the 1780s which has now been built onto on the south side. The original house is now referred to as 'the dark side' both for its coldness, and darkness. The newer part of the house is significantly warmer. This newer part has a slate 'cat slide' roof, the roof is superinsulated so allows little or no heat either in or out so provides no passive solar gain.