WHAT WILL IT COST?
Solar water heating
Chris Batesmith looks at how much you should budget for a solar thermal system and what you can expect in terms of payback
Solar collectors come in two main types: flat panel or, as shown in this illustration, evacuated tubes. The latter can provide a slight efficiency boost, but are generally a touch more expensive
Solar thermal panels (also commonly known as solar water heating or solar hot water collectors) make efficient use of the sun’s energy to provide renewable hot water for taps, showers etc around the home. These systems were the original solar panels, gaining popularity in the UK decades before their electricity-generating cousins, solar photovoltaics (PV).
Solar PV, of course, has soared in recent years, most notably since 2010, when its popularity was boosted by the government’s more-than-generous Feed-in-Tariff scheme. While PV shows no sign of letting up, solar thermal hasn’t had anywhere near the airtime. So, at a typical cost of £4,000-£8,000 installed, does it still make sense for self builders and home renovators?
How does solar water heating work?
Solar thermal collectors capture energy from daylight and repurpose it to generate free hot water. To work effectively, they should be installed with a southerly aspect (anywhere south of east to west should make a useful contribution; but north-facing is off the cards). The panels are typically installed on pitched roofs but can also be fitted to flat roofs or ground mounted. In many cases, they can be installed under permitted development (without the need for full planning).