solar energy in kent Comparison of Solar Water heating Systems

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

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.

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
  • Grants: £400 LCBP
  • 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)
  • Grants: £400 LCBP
  • 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
  • Grants: £400 LCBP
  • 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