Installing a solar thermal system in a building will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions
How does it work?
Solar thermal systems take energy from the sun and convert it to useful heat to provide hot water
All Ecofirst solar thermal systems consist of three main components:
Solar Collectors - fitted to a roof or other structure, solar collectors absorb the sun's heat and transfer it to the fluid in the solar circuit popes that flow through them.
Solar Circuit - driven and controlled by a pump and a pump controller, the solar circuit transports the hot fluid from the collectors to the hot water cylinder.
Hot Water Cylinder - hot fluid in the solar circuit enters the hot water cylinder through a heat exchange coil and the heat is transferred to the domestic hot water supply.
What can it be used for?
Solar thermal systems are widely used to provide domestic hot water in houses and commercial properties. They can also be used to provide hot water for larger scale application such as swimming pools.
In a domestic installation a solar thermal system is typically sized to provide 100% of a household's hot water during the summer months and give an average annual contribution of around 60%.
According to the Energy Saving Trust the average domestic solar thermal system will generate 1500 kWh of useful heat per annum and in so doing reduce C02 emissions by around 350-500kg, depending on the fuel replaced.
Ecofirst use state-of-the-art software to model system outputs and accurately predict your energy and carbon savings.
Does it suit my requirements?
Deciding whether a solar thermal system is appropriate for you or your project requires consideration of a number of factors.
- Specific energy or carbon reduction goals
- Available roof space
- Orientation & shading
- Boiler type
- Local planning issues
- Budget
Don't worry, Ecofirst's Technical Advisers are here to help!
Which solar thermal system?
There are a wide variety of solar thermal systems available, with variations in all three main components. Drawing on our experience and using carefully selected products, Ecofirst will always specify a high quality system tailored to meet your specific requirements.
Collectors
There are two main types of solar collector technology: Flat Plate and Evacuated Tube.
Ecofirst offers both types of solar collector and will recommend the most appropriate model based on factors such as:
- System Type - domestic systems have different characteristics to swimming pools
- Desired aesthetics - flat plate collectors can be neatly integrated into a roof
- Local site conditions - factors such as size and condition of available roof space can influence collector choice
- Ease of installation - some evacuated tube collectors come in kit form; easy to install in awkward locations
- New build or retrofit - roof integrated collectors are eaier to fit on new build properties
- Integration with solar PV systems - some flat plate panels cna be integrated with solar PV panels
- Budget - Ecofirst offers standard and premium collector ranges
Solar Circuit & Hot Water Cylinder
There are a number of potential variations in the Solar Circuit and Hot Water Cylinder. Ecofirst will take into consideration a number of factors and configure an appropriate system to meet your needs.
- Domestic hot water circuit - vented circuits can be upgraded to give mains pressure hot water when fitting solar
- Primary heating device and fuel type - conventional or combination boiler; gas, oil, electric or solid fuel
- Available internal space - solar hot water cylinders are taller than standard cylinders
- System maintenance - if a low maintenance regime is required a drainback system might be considered
