Around 24,000 solar thermal systems are installed every year and the Solar Trade Association (STA) believes this number will rise dramatically. The reasons are threefold: awareness of consumers, the government‘s long-term renewables strategy and the concern about fuel prices.

Solar thermal remains one of the most popular alternative energy technologies, due in part to the relatively low cost of installation and the well-publicized results of energy savings. The STA states that a ‘well-designed solar hot

water system can provide between 50 and 70 per cent of a household’s hot water requirements over a year’. The Association suggests that in a house fitted with a solar hot water system, the boiler can be turned off for six months

during the summer months when the system will provide for all of the hot water needs when space heating is not required.

Another big plus is that using solar thermal helps to meet the required levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. One development in Crewkerne for Yarlington Housing Group achieved level 4 under the Code for Sustainable Homes by using a host of energy saving technologies including solar collectors. Early indications of fuel savings are positive as the properties should use 44% less energy than conventional systems. Combine this with the domestic hot water generated by the solar panels, and it is expected that householders will make considerable savings.

The solar panels used were flat plate collectors utilising the latest collector technology including prismatic glass and titanium oxide absorber coating, both of which maximize performance. The metal sheet absorber sits between the glazing and insulation and collects the radiation that passes through the glass. This heat is transferred to the water/glycol mix which flows through the copper pipes in the panel. The fluid is then pumped along circulating pipes before passing through a heat exchanger in the hot water cylinder or thermal store where the heat is given up.

Nu-Heat's registered installers tell us that many developers are increasingly interested in integrated energy efficient packages – such as heat pumps, underfloor and solar thermal. Nu-Heat offers a full supply and design service, with an individually designed complete package including every part required to install a system. Our range of solar collectors can be fully integrated with all of our underfloor heating and heat pump products.