Solar Thermal

Why it makes sense

Sunlight is free, so once the system is installed, your hot water costs will be reduced. Solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants, so it’s good news all round.

Saving you money

Correctly sized, a solar water heating system can provide up to 70% of your hot water annually. In the summer months, the figure is 100%.

Depending on the fuel being displaced and the hot water consumption of the house, expected paybacks can be as little as 10 years. Systems also reduce Co2 emissions by at least 750kg per year.

Making you money

What’s more, by June 2011 the government will introduce Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) which will be non-taxable ‘thank you’ payments similar to the feed in tariffs for electricity generation. This means that, with a solar thermal system in place you will earn money for the Co2 emissions that you save as long as the system has been fitted by an MCS certified installer such as East Green Energy
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Customer case study

With a growing family and new extension increasing the number of en-suite bathrooms at his property, Mr B. of Framlingham realised that solar thermal was the way to cut back on hot water bills...

Solar Thermal

Ideal for ...

New builds
Refurbishment
Retro Fits
Swimming pools

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Solar thermal systems explained

Solar collectors use energy from the sun to heat water which is then stored in a hot water cylinder.
The collector takes the form of panels or evacuated tubes generally fitted to the roof of a building.
Advanced coatings on the glazing of the panels maximise the absorption of heat.

The solar controller monitors the temperature of the collectors on the roof and the bottom of the
hot water cylinder. When the collector array is hotter than the bottom of the cylinder, the controller
switches on the solar circulating pump.

This heat is then transferred to the bottom of the cylinder via a coil inside. Once the stored water
temperature reaches that of the collector, the solar controller switches the circulating pump off. The
cycle is repeated when the temperature in the collector is raised again.

In the winter months, a boiler and or immersion heater acts as a supplement, heating the water
further to reach the required temperature.

Are they right for you?

Solar thermal systems are great for generating your hot water for use around the home and also to
heat swimming pools.

Preferably installed to face south, solar collectors may also achieve effective water hearing when
orientated anywhere SSE or SSW. In some cases, two collectors may be used: one facing east, the
other west.

Deciding on types and options

In terms of efficiency per square metre, evacuated tubes are well-suited to the UK climate.

Flat plate on-roof panels and, in new builds integrated roof panels (inroof panels) work very well too.
East Green Energy recommends Velux integrated roof panels where the integrity of the roof is
paramount due to this company’s unrivalled experience. Although more expensive and less efficient
per square metre solar thermal roof tiles are also available. For aesthetic reasons, these may be
preferred by a planning officer.

Planning considerations

As a result of the relaxation of planning laws within the UK in April 2008, you no longer need
planning permission to install solar thermal systems in most homes, unless the building is listed or
within a conservation area or world heritage site.

East Green Energy recommends that you always check with your local planning prior to any works
taking place.

Building regulations

To fully comply with building regulations East Green Energy can arrange a building control surveyor
to issue a building regulations completion certificate which confirms the installation meet the
required building regulations.

Winning efficiency

Solar thermal systems using evacuated tubes are more efficient in our northern European climate as
they passively track the sun.

The tubes lend themselves to accurate sizing too, so systems can be more bespoke, tailoring the
number/length of tubes to the amount of water you wish to heat. Efficiency alone however, should
not be the only deciding factor in any choice between flat plate or evacuated tube systems.

East Green Energy is Micro Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) certified and only uses MCS
registered equipment.

What will it cost? >
Incentive Payments >
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