What is Solar Thermal energy ?
Solar thermal collection is a clean and highly efficient means of using the renewable energy of the Sun. This is an alternative to using the fossils fuels to provide hot water for the home.


How is Solar Thermal energy collected ?
The basic principle is easy to understand. If you unroll a hosepipe containing water on the ground and leave it exposed tot he sun, the water in the hosepipe will become warm. This is because the water is heated by the radiant heat of the sun. Solar Thermal collection works in the same way only much more efficiently.

Solar Thermal Collectors (or panels) are connected to one of the coils of a twin coil cylinder using a sealed circuit containing a specially formulated Glycol / water solution. This Solution can withstand temperatures as high as 200°C and as low as -25°C.

A pump circulates the heated solution from the Solar collector to the cylinder where the heat is transferred to the stored water through the lower coil.


Will Solar Panels spoil the look of my house ?
The solar panels we install have been developed to be less obtrusive. They are available in two colours, silver for a more contemporary look and bronze which blends in with most domestic roof types. There are a variety of mounting options making installing the panels quick and easy.


How much energy will I need ?
Every year the British Isles receives, on average, over 1000 kWh of energy per each square metre of surface area. An average home requires approximately 3000 kWh per year for hot water supply.

Our Solar Thermal collectors have a surface area of 2.32 metres squared so in the majority of cases 2 solar panels would be sufficient to provide the energy you need for your hot water supply.


Do I need planning permission?
You may need planning permission to install solar panels, especially if your property is a listed building or in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Contact your local planning department to make sure.