What is solar hot water?
Solar hot water systems use the sun to heat solar collectors which have fluid inside them. The heat is then transferred to a hot water cylinder or other store (such as a swimming pool) reducing the amount of energy required to keep the store at its operating temperature.

How does the system work?
A solar panel collector will normally be fitted on the roof, and they are either of a “flat plate panel” or an “evacuated tube” type. The collectors have a special coating which helps absorb the sun’s energy even when it is cold outside.  A pump and temperature controller is used to make the best use of the energy.The controller also has functions which protect the cylinder and solar system from extremes of temperature, both hot and cold.

What are the different types of panel?
Flat Plate systems – these are usually mounted on top of the roof using a frame, or integrated into the roof surfaces for a neater appearance.
Evacuated Tube systems – these consist of a number of tubes connected to a manifold. Solar fluid passes through the manifold gathering heat from the tubes as it passes by. There are a number of different types of tube systems available. Southern Solar uses very high quality ones which have additional protection against over-heating incorporated into them

What would a system do for me?
A well designed system on an ideal, un-shaded roof should provide 50%-60% of your hot water needs over the year. This figure can get even higher for heating swimming pools, as solar thermal is a particularly good match for pools.

What size system do I need?
The systems are sized based on the amount of hot water you use and will depend on how many people live in your house and how many bathrooms you have. Generally a system sized between 2.5m2 and 5m2 will cope with up to 5 people living in the building.

What about combi-boilers? I have heard they are difficult to integrate with solar...
It’s certainly true that they do make things more challenging for us, as most combi-boilers are not designed to accept “pre-heated” water. In all cases, solar thermal will mean installing a hot water cylinder somewhere in the property. If you are not able to find space for the cylinder then solar thermal is not going to be possible for you. However we can normally find a way to help you if you are committed to the idea of making it work at your property.

What happens in an install?
Before the install we may need to arrange for scaffolding to be erected. We only use fully insured professional companies with whom we have a continuing relationship. The install will usually last two to three days: one day to plump in the cylinder and put the panels on the roof, another to connect and commission the system is normal. We have our own teams of installers who are fully trained, polite and tidy. We don’t sub-contract out work to other companies.

Are there any maintenance issues?
A well installed system should require little maintenance. However, some of the equipment we install has an option on an extended warranty period if you commit to a regular servicing regime. We would recommend getting the system checked every 2 years as a minimum, with a flush and refill of the solar fluid every 5 years. We have regular servicing contracts available for those people who want to take advantage of the extended warranty options.

What about grants?
You have probably heard about the “Renewable Heat Incentive” (RHI) and the “Green Deal”. Both are schemes designed to support the uptake of solar thermal systems, either commercial or domestic.
Commercial clients The Renewable Heat incentive is described in more detail on THIS page, and you can find more information on the relevant government websites:
DECC  and OFGEM.
Domestic customers: You may also benefit from reading our description of the RHI, but the short response is that the Green Deal has not been finalised, and we can’t give you a definitive answer. However we can tell you that any eligible system installed now will benefit from the scheme when it does start, as the Government has already stated the start date for eligibility was July of 2009. You can find out more information here:
Energy Saving Trust