Solar Water Heat

What are Solar Power Water Heating Systems?

These systems use the heat of the sun and work alongside your conventional water heater to produce hot water. This energy saving devise is well developed and there are many systems available.

How do Solar Water Heating Systems Work?

In domestic uses there are three main components. Solar panels or collectors are fitted to your roof and collect heat from the suns

radiation. These come in two forms either, a Flat Plate System which are made up of absorber plates and a transparent cover to collect the suns heat or an Evacuated tube system. These are rows of glass tubes, which contain an absorber plate feeding a manifold which transports the heated fluids. These collector systems are connected to a heat transfer system which uses the collected heat to heat water that is stored in the Hot Water Cylinder.

Is Solar Water Heating Suitable for my Self Build?

• Solar water heating can be used in your home or for larger applications like a swimming pool.
• For most domestic systems you will need 3-4 square metres of roof that faces southeast to southwest. This needs to be receiving sunlight for most of the day.
• You will also need space to locate and additional water cylinder within your home if needed.