Solar Energy - The UK's large solar
energy resource
Solar energy in the UK is far greater than most people imagine. In the
summer, when items such as car bodies are often too hot to touch we become
aware of the Sun's heat. However, even in the spring and autumn and on
clear winter days we receive very useful amounts of solar energy.
By tilting a surface to an angle the amount of solar radiation
falling on it will be greater than that falling on a flat surface in this
country.
Fortunately, the average tilt of a UK house roof is about
the optimum for receiving solar energy in the UK.
NB. The average property requires approximately 3,000 kWh
per year for domestic water heating.
UK solar irradiation
Annual Total kWh/m2
System Principals...
RM Solar panels are powered by light. It does not have to be direct sunshine - there is sufficient energy in a cloudy day for the panels to collect energy for your hot water.
When day light strikes the panel the light is absorbed into the panel and converted into heat. This heats up the heat transfer fluid in the copper heat transfer pipe. When the temperature in the panel is higher than the temperature in yout hot water cylinder a digital controller activates the pump. The heat transfer fluid in the heat pipe pumps heat into your cylinder that heats up the water. When you have sufficient hot water in the cylinder the pump stops. If you draw water off (for example by running the bath) as the cold water enters the system the drop in cylinder temperature is sensed by the controller and it starts up the pump to bring the cylinder water temperature to the desired level.
We estimate that our collectors will produce around 70% of your hot water over a year. They will produce more in the summer when the days are long, and less in the winter - the 70% is an approximate overall figure based on average hot water usage.
We also estimate that in December, when the days are short, they will only make a small contribution to your hot water needs. However in summer, when the days are longer they will produce up to 93% or more of your hot water, all free and all produced in an environmentally friendly way.
At times when there is insufficient light to power the system (for example at night or on a rainy or foggy day in late December) the water is heated by your gas boiler or electrical immersion heater, in the traditional way. These will be the only times that you will be burning fossil fuel when heating water.
Households on average spend between 27% to 35% of their total energy costs on heating water. Panels, which act as a supplement to existing water heating arrangements, significantly reduce bills, and at the same time substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This all contributes to helping you reduce your home, and families carbon footprint (the amount of carbon being used on a yearly basis.)
