Solar thermal systems are mainly used for the provision of standard domestic hot water. A solar water heating system is an energy efficient way to provide domestic homes with up to 70% of their hot water supply.

However there are a number of other ways that these systems are being utilised by forward thinking designers and householders seeking to deliver greener alternatives to energy problems.

Heating homes with solar hot water

Solar panels coupled with a thermal store can be used to provide small areas of underfloor heating. However, before fitting the system there are some important calculations to be carried out. The area that requires heating will dictate the number of solar panels needed, and the quality of existing insulation will also impact on the effectiveness of the system. The better the insulation the less heat will escape keeping the room nice and warm without placing excessive demands of the system.

Calling on the expertise and wisdom of a renewable energy expert to carry out these calculations, will help avoid making mistakes that effect a solar thermal system's overall performance.

Most solar hot water systems are not suitable for powering domestic radiators as they struggle to keep up with the speed that a radiator gives up its heat. To heat a whole home using renewable energy, solar photovoltaic systems are currently a much better alternative.

Solar thermal pool heating

Anyone lucky enough to own a swimming pool will know that they generate huge water heating bills. But by installing solar water heating these costs can be cut by up to 70 – 80%.

Small or large, indoors or outside, solar thermal panels can be used to heat swimming pools. The heating system works with existing boilers and heat exchangers to produce a base load of natural heat to dramatically reduce running costs.

Another advantage of a solar thermal pool heating system is that once installed it costs very little to run. All that is required is a pump and controller which itself requires minimal electrical power (which could be obtained from a solar pv panel).

Large scale solar water heating systems

Solar water heating is not just for domestic use. Clever designers are finally looking seriously at larger scale solar thermal systems for apartment blocks and commercial properties.

The principals for these larger systems are fundamentally the same as with the smaller scale solar water heating systems but the execution is on an altogether different scale Massive constructions and heavy duty elements are required when you scale up from a domestic tank of hot water to a system that might need to supply hundreds of people with thousands of litres of hot water in a day. The good news is that these larger systems are already proving their worth and economies of scale mean that they provides a much faster return on investment.

A word of advice

Before making any investment into renewable technology it is always a good idea to get professional advice. Talk to an alternative energy expert about what you want to use renewable energy for, and give them some details about the location where you want to use it. From this they can provide you with an idea of which technology is suitable and any alternatives that might be on offer. Thus saving you the cost and effort of installing a solution which proves to be unsuitable and unproductive for your needs.