Around 24,000 solar thermal systems are installed every year and the Solar Trade Association believes this number will rise dramatically. The reasons are threefold:  consumers are becoming more environmentally aware, the government‘s long-term renewables support strategy and the rise in fuel prices that isn’t set to stop.

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’s experience mirrors this trend as solar thermal orders have increased by around 30 per cent over the past year.

‘The majority of our systems 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 2010. Housebuilder and housing association incentives for integrating solar are linked to meeting energy targets as set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes as well as reducing tenants’ heating bills,’ says Adrian Troop, Nu-Heat’s Sales and Marketing Director.

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, exhaust air heat pumps and underfloor heating systems. 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.

Project Images (click to enlarge)