solar energy in kent Comparison of Solar Water heating Systems

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

 



Headlines

FITs. Helping us generate energy or just a money making scam?
21p means the FIT scheme can be retained for far longer, it means the cost of installation can comedown and the industry retained. At 43.3 it means the scheme must close overnight when the set amount of money has run out!
Energy efficiency and renewable energy subsidies
The government wants to encourage everyone to think about how they can pay less on fuel - a pretty sensible idea when energy bills are rising and fuel poverty is on the increase
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.
New record in world CO2 emissions
Energy-related carbon emissions hit a record high last year, casting doubt on plans to limit global temperature rises, an energy watchdog says.

energy saving trust

Clear Skies

Feed in tariffs

Comparing the main systems, vacuum tube and flat plate

The data shown below will vary from site to site, and between installations, the values are for guidance purposes only. The systems are listed in approximate order of apparent effectiveness against cost. This will of course vary between installations, other considerations are aesthetics, personal taste, scalability etc.

There are a growing number of systems, please email me with the comparable data along with a target price for yours if you want to be listed.

NB. The original comparison included a reference to LCBP, I have removed this as with any system installed now you should clarify eligibility for Renewable Heat Incentive.

SolarUK LaZer2 System

  • Collector Type: Evacuated Tube
  • System Type: Sealed Pressurised Indirect
  • Control Type: Differential
  • Typical Performance: 600kWh/m²/annum
  • System Life: >25-Years
  • Warranties: 25-Years Against Loss of Vacuum. 2-Years Parts & Labour
  • Surveys: Free On-Site Surveys
  • Installation: All Teams Employed & Trained by SolarUK Ltd
  • Maintenance: Change Anti-Freeze Every 5-Years.
  • Typical Installed Cost: £3,900
  • Website: www.solaruk.net

Genersys 1000-10/20 System

  • Collector Type: Flat Plate
  • System Type: Sealed Pressurised Indirect
  • Control Type: Differential
  • Typical Performance: 479kWh/m²/annum
  • System Life: 35-Years
  • Warranties: 20-Panel. ?-Years Parts & Labour
  • Surveys: Unknown
  • Installation: Approved Sub-Contractors
  • Maintenance: Every 2-Years Check Collectors. Every 5-Years Re-Evacuate & Change Anti-Freeze.
  • Typical Installed Cost: c.£4,000 (estimated)
  • website: www.genersys.co.uk

Solar Supplies Consol System

  • Collector Type: Evacuated Tube
  • System Type: Sealed Pressurised Indirect
  • Control Type: Differential
  • Typical Performance: 459kWh/m²/annum
  • System Life: Unknown
  • Warranties: Unknown
  • Surveys: Unknown
  • Installation: Typically Plumbers
  • Maintenance: Unknown
  • Typical Installed Cost: Unknown
  • website:www.solarsuppliesuk.co.uk

SolarTwin ST4010/20 System

  • Collector Type: Flat Plate
  • System Type: Open Vented Direct
  • Control Type: PV Pump
  • Typical Performance: 293kWh/m²/annum
  • System Life: 20-Years
  • Warranties: 5-Years Parts. Labour Unknown
  • Surveys: Telephone
  • Installation: SolarTwin Employed Engineers
  • Maintenance: Non! (Hard Water Will Cause System To Fail).
  • Typical Installed Cost: c.£3,700 (excluding cylinder or water softner)
  • Grants: None
  • website:www.solartwin.com