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The sun provides us with far more energy every year than we can possibly use. We are, however, only utilizing a tiny percentage of that energy. Everybody can reduce 'greenhouse gas emissions' by several tons per year, simply by installing average size solar water heating

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The first solar water heater for domestic use went on sale in 1891. Over 100 years of development have turned solar water heating collectors into sophisticated devices that can achieve over 90% conversion efficiency.

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The most widely used solar water heating system consists of solar collectors, circulating pump unit, controller and solar cylinder. The solar panels are usually installed on top of a roof or integrated into the roof covering. They can also be wall mounted or free standing. Orientation should be between south-east and south-west. The ideal inclination to the horizontal is 250 – 450.

The size of the solar panel array and cylinder is determined by the expected hot water demand. A typical solar water heating system for a family of 4 or 5 would consist of 5 or 6 m2 of selectively coated flat plate collectors and a cylinder with 300 litres capacity. A solar contribution of up to 70% for the whole year would be achieved.
The calculation for space heating assistance also takes the floor area and energy demand of the building into consideration.

With a 12 m2 panel array and a 750 litres solar combination cylinder (two tanks in one), up to 40% of central heating demand can be supplied by the solar system for a 120 m2 (1300 ft2) house.

 


<--15 m2 roof integrated panels with 750 litres combination cylinder


Another highly cost effective application is the heating of swimming-pools. There is generally no requirement for a heat store, since the pool acts as a huge store. The main season for swimming-pools corresponds perfectly with the period of the highest solar radiation – from April to September.