Solar Thermal Panels for water heating

Solar thermal water heating uses the light from the sun to heat a fluid, which is pumped round a coil in a hot water storage tank. This heat exchanger directly transfers the heat to your hot water system where it can be used directly or boosted by an emersion heater or your boiler.
In the summer it is probable that all your hot water needs can be achieved without the need for boosting, in the winter it is likely that your immersion heater or boiler will need to provide additional heat. None-the-less substantial savings will be made over almost any alternative heat sources.

There are two types of Solar Thermal system, flat plate or evacuated tube. Flat Plate Systems are a coated metal plate in an insulated frame with a transparent cover. They are generally cheaper than tube systems however they are slightly less efficient. They can however be better integrated into a roof.  Evacuated Tube Systems utilise rows of glass tubes inside which there is another "absorber" tube. A vacuum separates the two tubes. Tube systems are normally mounted on top of a standard roof. They are regarded as the most efficient type of panel but can be a little unsightly. Both types require a south or southeast facing roof or position. Solar Water Heating Panels require being connected to your hot water system via collectors, a double coil hot water tank and an expansion vessel. Water is pumped via pipes and valves from the collectors to the hot water tank. Solar Water Heating is particularly effective for heating swimming pools or for heating domestic hot water, especially when GSHP's are used for space heating.  

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