Solar Thermal

How do solar panels work?

Solar thermal (also known as solar water heating), uses renewable energy from the sun to heat the water for your taps and showers. The panels contain glycol fluid which readily absorbs solar energy and transfers this to the water that flows through your solar hot water cylinder.

Special coatings on the panels enable them to absorb energy even on cloudy and cold days, as they don’t rely on high temperatures or direct sunlight. The longer the daylight hours and the higher the sun’s intensity, the more energy the system can collect. In the summer months, up to 90% of your hot water* can be provided by your solar panels.

They’re a great way to heat your hot water without relying entirely on your boiler or heat pump, as well as helping to lower your bills and carbon footprint too.

^{*Based on average annual solar supply – Energy Saving Trust.}

Is my home suitable for solar panels?

Panels can be installed on tiled or pantile roofing. To get the optimum efficiency from your panels, they should be mounted in a southerly direction, angled between 30º and 45º towards the sun. However, if your property faces east or west, you can still collect solar energy for your home. Your installer will advise you on the best orientation and position for your home, as well as the number of panels needed to provide sufficient water heating.

Unless your home is a listed building or in a conservation area, you most likely won’t need planning permission – but there may be building regulations that you need to comply with, so it’s important to check with your local authority.

If your current heating system doesn’t use a cylinder, you’ll need to make sure your property has space to store this. These are typically located inside a utility or bathroom cupboard.