Solar thermal manufacturers are making impressive claims about their products, stating that the eco-friendly technology can generate up to 70 per cent of a domestic property’s annual hot water needs. In addition to this, providers are reporting significant sales increases, despite the current economic downturn.
However, some scepticism exists amongst homeowners about the savings available and some installers are apprehensive about the growth of this market. PHAM speaks to three groups – The Solar Trade Association (STA), Nu-Heat (a leading underfloor heating and renewables supplier) and experienced solar installers – to ask whether solar thermal technology is really worth all of the hype?
The Market
 Solar panel installation Currently, the industry is installing around 24,000 solar thermal systems a year. The Solar Trade Association believes this number will rise dramatically for three reasons: consumers are becoming more environmentally aware, the government has adopted a long-term renewables support strategy and inflated fuel prices.
In Europe the solar thermal market is already highly developed and in many countries demand for solar thermal solutions increased at double-digit rates, with the Irish market tripling in volume. Nu-Heat Underfloor and Renewables mirrors this trend as solar thermal orders have increased by around 30 per cent since December last year. Adrian Troop, Nu-Heat’s Sales and Marketing Director comments:
The percent growth experienced is a very positive sign for suppliers, qualified solar installers and the heating industry alike, and we expect the increase in demand to continue. The majority of our systems tend to go into new build properties although we are starting to experience a steady flow of enquires for the retrofit market, another trend we think will gain momentum during 2009.
The motivation for homeowners and selfbuilders to invest in solar can be linked to lower running costs and financial aid via the Government’s grant system, whereas housebuilder and housing association incentives for integrating solar are linked to meeting energy targets as set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes.
 The finished article Mike Dowell, of Welsh based Micaul Solar, offers supporting statistics as he has estimated (based on figures from last year versus the first quarter) that his company should at least double the number of solar installations in 2009. And, if his recent enquiry to retrofit 250 solar panels of behalf of a housing association is anything to go by, the solar market in Wales looks very healthy.
Steve Sayer of Elite Plumbing Contracts, Essex, has fitted solar on behalf of housebuilders, stating that most of his customers are interested in integrated packages – meaning his team regularly fits more than one energy-saving device into a build programme – great news for qualified installers, or those embarking on renewables training.
Manufacturer Claims
The STA state 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’, and that ‘it is quite common 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.’
The STA, installers and suppliers acknowledge the importance of correct system design, whilst placing equal emphasis on correct installation, as both directly impact system efficiency.
Training
Training and education are key to achieving a wider adoption of solar technology as it is necessary to increase end consumer awareness of solar thermal. Installers play a decisive role in this as they are the interface between end consumers and industry and these professionals often determine, or have strong influence, on the consumer’s choice of hot water system.
Heating engineers with the skills needed to install renewable systems are still few and far between, with only approximately 2,500 approved solar thermal installers in the UK. There is an industry-wide need for colleges and training centres to deliver industry-recognised qualifications, and the president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Colin Stainer, made this point vehemently during his recent speech to Parliament about the Institute’s latest GreenPlumb initiative.
To prevent lost confidence in technologies that will contribute to the reduction in carbon emissions and reduce water consumption through incorrect specification and installation, the Institute is launching its GreenPlumb initiative. This programme will help consumers to find plumbing and heating engineers that have undertaken regular professional development on these important systems that will help to deliver the Government’s carbon and water reduction figures. Without this programme, the risk is that the consumer will not embrace these solutions and the environment will suffer as a consequence
The opportunity for installers to expand their business into a sector that is currently under-resourced could pay dividends and Nu-Heat is one example of a provider that has fulfilled its professional responsibility by offering three-day NICEIC approved Solar Thermal Installation courses.
Government support
The Government has been trying to encourage consumers towards solar technology through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, offering homeowners, public sector bodies and businesses grants for approved solar thermal products.
But before recommending this route to customers, it is worth pointing out that existing householders must conform to a number of energy saving measures before becoming eligible. For instance, before applying householders are required to have: loft insulation in line with Part L of the Building Regulations (e.g. 270mm mineral wool), energy-saving light bulbs, cavity wall insulation (if cavity walls present) and basic heating controls to include a room thermostat and programmer or timer.
Applicants must also provide a Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) number, which can be obtained one of two ways – either through an MCS approved installer or an MCS affiliated company. Nu-Heat has recently been accepted into the BRE’s Microgeneration scheme for solar thermal – putting Nu-Heat in the strong position of being able to supply every customer with a grant application MCS number, contact with its accredited installer network and a grant-approved, market leading product.
Taking the company-approved route assures homeowners and installers that both the product and design procedures will maximise system efficiencies – ensuring the end-user is able to make the most of fuel savings and thereby reduce both their carbon emissions and the pay-back period.
Nu-Heat believes the new and improved grant application process will encourage new build homeowners to fit solar thermal energy by making high-tech, energy-saving systems more affordable to a wider market – which can only be a good thing for the heating industry as a whole.
For more information about solar, underfloor heating, heat pumps or renewables training, please call Nu-Heat on 0800 731 1976.
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0800 731 1976
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