Micro renewables - Solar thermal
Solar thermal hot water systems harness solar energy to heat hot water. The system consists of solar panels, or ‘collectors’, which absorb the sun’s heat (solar radiation). A transfer system uses this energy to heat water, which is then stored in a hot water cylinder until required. An auxiliary water heating system is required to work with the solar thermal system to ensure water is stored above the required 60oC and to compensate for times of low radiation levels.
Solar water heating is generally used for domestic hot water, although it can be used in larger applications, for space or swimming pool heating. The size, orientation and pitch of the roof all affect the suitability of a premise for solar thermal heating. More detailed information about this small-scale renewable energy technology is provided in this section.
- Government Documents
- Other Documents
- Other Resources
- Organisations
- Resource Classification
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- Active solar heating system performance and data review
- Ref:
- 0171-GovN
- Author:
- IT Power for ETSU, January 1999
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file16518.pdf
- A review of active solar heating systems installed in Northern European countries. Section 3.4.6 (p 23) considers the relevance of this data to the UK and Annex 1 (p 28) provides a useful list of parameters for measurement when monitoring an active solar system. (DTI ref. URN 00/1673).v show details
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- Analysis of performance data from four active solar water heating installations (interim report)
- Ref:
- 0172-GovN
- Author:
- The Energy Monitoring Company Ltd, January 2001
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file16522.pdf
- This document includes the results and analysis from a two year (1998-1999) performance study of 4 active solar water heating installations. Outputs of the study include data on quality of collector performance, information on hot water usage and delivery temperature, output from collectors and proportion of household hot water requirement met by installation. Comprehensive data is presented which may be of use when assessing the suitability of solar thermal installations for a property/ies. (DTI ref. URN 01/781)v show details
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- Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) design study
- Ref:
- 0179-GovN
- Author:
- School of the Built Environment, University of Nottingham , January 2000
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file16526.pdf
- Study documenting design process and system performance of two solar photovoltaic installations. Useful for looking at design considerations in relation to actual buildings. (DTI ref. URN 00/1573).v show details
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- DECC renewables: Small scale solar thermal
- Ref:
- 0175-WebL
- Author:
- DECC, March 2009
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_d...
- Part of the DECC's 'Renewables Explained' web pages, this section answers commonly asked questions about installing solar systems, including planning issues and where to obtain further information. Links available to general 'how does it work' information on solar, solar energy in communities and current use in the UK.v show details
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