biomass
heat pumps
hydro
solar PV
solar thermal
windSolar Thermal - or Solar Hot Water - does just that. It makes hot water for you to use at home or in the office.
- Solar panels - or collectors as they are often called within the Solar Thermal industry - are typically attached to the roof of your house. They are completely different to Solar PV panels that make electricity - solar collectors are full of liquid that itself is heated by solar radiation. This heat is transferred to your hot water tank - and a significant part of your hot water needs are available, cost and emission free.
- The collectors should face as close to South as possible, and any shading from trees or other buildings should be avoided.
- In the summer, correctly sized collectors could provide all your hot water needs. Winter in the UK will produce less hot water, but overall you should expect to produce significantly over 50% of your hot water throughout the year.
- There are different designs of collector available, and also you will have choices of how you setup your hot water tank.
- Solar Thermal are by far the most widely fitted microgeneration systems in the UK - the technology is well developed now, and the system can make a real difference to your hot water bills.
For more information, have a read of the Solar Thermal Details Guide.
