Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Thermal

Doesn’t solar water heating only work in hotter countries than the UK?

In a word, no. This type of water heating depends on radiation from the sun. Although this varies throughout the year, these systems still work well in the UK.

Is solar thermal suitable for my house?

If you have around 5m2 of unshaded roof space which ideally faces south and don’t have a combi boiler that is incompatible with solar thermal systems, then yes, your property should be suitable.

How do I know if my boiler is compatible with solar thermal systems?

We recommend that you check with the manufacturer in all cases to find out if your boiler is compatible with a solar thermal system.

Is it best to have a twin coil tank or two hot water tanks?

This depends on whether you have enough room. Questions to ask yourself are: do I require a new water tank and is there enough room to install a dual coil one? Or, do I have enough room to install a second tank?

Is solar thermal suitable for providing heating as well as hot water?

In general, no it is not. Heating is required most in the winter months when the sun is at its weakest in the UK. Therefore you would need a vast array of panels to provide a small percentage of your heating – it will not be cost effective.

What is the estimated lifetime of solar panels?

Solar thermal systems are expected to last around 25 years and usually have a 10 year guarantee.

Do they require lots of maintenance?

Solar thermal systems require very little maintenance. An annual check by the owner and a more thorough check every 3 to 5 years should be sufficient. If debris such as leaves fall on the collector then it may affect
performance, so these will need to be swept off.

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