INDUSTRY INSIGHT: SOLAR
Sunny side up
In times of rising energy and heating costs, as well as a resource scarcity of fossil fuels, the power of the sun is providing an important – and above all – low-cost energy source. Solar systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal, are becoming increasingly popular in our homes. Alan Clarke, technical support manager at Heatrae Sadia, discusses the latest technologies
is becoming a core focus in the industry, as legislators and homeowners alike seek greener ways to generate power. Solar power, once a fringe concept, is now one of the greatest hopes for the future of energy production. And it’s clear that the UK public is firmly behind solar. According to numerous studies, 80% of us are supportive of solar power, with research revealing that 60% of Brits who have yet to install solar panels would consider doing so by 2020. In light of these statistics, it’s important for specifiers to be aware of the best solar options on the market, and the benefits of each, in order to capitalise on the current eco-oriented, and increasingly green, future.
A Solar PV
Although the government has made cuts to payments from the Feed-in-Tariff, the public’s interest in solar PV shows no signs of waning. Figures show that the number of panel installations is very much on the rise. In addition, with the rising cost of energy on the grid, many people are seeing solar PV as a sound investment which can also add value to their home. As well as a means of safeguarding their future energy costs it is also a way of
September 2018
s the pressure mounts for the UK to reduce its carbon footprint, it is no surprise that renewable technology
significantly lowering their carbon footprint. The issue here is that most homes are
vacant during the day, which means that energy produced by the panels during sunlight hours is not used, and is instead exported back to the grid.
Specially designed hot water storage
cylinders optimised for use with PV can combat this. Here, any power that is generated in addition to the household’s normal requirements will be diverted to the cylinder, rather than being sent to the grid. The water is heated to the desired temperature and controlled by a thermostat, ready for the household to use when required, either when the occupants return home or the sun goes down. Providing the cylinder has high-quality, high-performance insulation, water will remain hot for hours. Also, as the cylinder only uses the
excess power created by solar PV panels, the normal day-to-day power requirements of the household are not affected. Heatrae Sadia’s Megaflo Eco Solar PV
Ready is an unvented cylinder specifically designed to harness excess electricity generated by domestic solar PV arrays. It’s simple for homeowners to monitor and wirelessly control the hot water system. The control unit – the Megaflo Buddy – provides a continuous record of power use and savings.
Solar thermal
Alternatively, solar thermal technology remains a popular solution in the UK. This is more than a seasonal solution; although there will be more solar gain on hot, sunny days, solar collectors are designed to harness the sun’s energy even when it’s cloudy. And because solar thermal systems work in tandem with traditional sources of fuel, there is no risk to supply even when there is little solar energy available. Solar thermal cylinders balance solar heated water capacity (via the aforementioned solar thermal collectors) with immersion or boiler heated supply, helping to keep energy bills down while maintaining a reliable source of hot water. What’s more, solar ready options are available, carving a route to solar thermal hot water in the future. Here, a solar thermal cylinder can be installed, ready for solar collectors to be fitted at a later point. Though different, both technologies have
significant benefits. So, for specifiers looking to capitalise on the climate of energy-consciousness, recommending an effective solar solution is a great way of demonstrating expertise to customers and creating a lucrative new revenue stream. Already over 877,000 UK homes own solar PV technology alone, and as eco awareness grows, more and more new customers will be switching to solar, creating fresh demand in the process.
Although the government has made cuts to payments from the Feed-in-Tariff, Heatrae Sadia believes the public’s interest in solar PV shows no signs of waning and that the number of panel installations is on the rise
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