What is Solar Thermal Heating?

If you are thinking of solar heating to serve your hot water needs, read on to find out how solar thermal technology can work in conjunction with your existing conventional water heater to provide an economical and eco-friendly alternative. Harnessing the heat of the sun for maximum effect during the summer months, these systems will still provide a useful source of power during the cooler times of year.

There is a large choice of equipment that can be used and each application has 3 core elements:

1. Solar Panels, also referred to as collectors, fitted to your roof of which there are two types:

Flat Plate Systems consisting of an absorber plate with a transparent cover to collect the sun’s rays

Evacuated Tube Systems, each comprising a row of glass tubes containing an absorber plate that feed into a manifold, to transport the heated fluid.

  2. A Heat Transfer System to enable the collected heat to be used to heat water

3. A Hot Water Cylinder to store the hot water that is heated during the day for later use.



We can also offer an integrated Heat Pump system linked to Solar Thermal Panels using the Daikin system which combines these two technologies as a single system with the linking point being the Daikin designed water cylinder system.



These systems can typically provide you with approximately 33% of your annual hot water needs, with the average domestic system not only reducing the CO2 emissions but also saving you money, around 325kg in emissions and £85 a year against your bills for gas heated homes, based on a 3 bed semi detached house.

By comparison, solid fuel savings on emissions are twice those for gas @ 645kg, and the cost saving is around £55, whilst oil users also benefit with levels @ 365kg, and a cost saving of around £85.

By far, the greatest benefits can be enjoyed by electricity users, both in emissions savings of 635kg, and cost savings of £95 per annum.

Domestic systems require 3-4 sq metres of roofing area with a southeast to southwest facing aspect that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. Additional cylinder space may also be required and you must check that your existing water heating system is suitable to interface with, as some combi boilers are not. Solar heated water is also ideal for swimming pools.

The typical cost of installation of a domestic system is £3,000 – £5,000. Evacuated tube systems tend to be the more expensive, as they are further advanced in design than flat plate.

Planning Permission
Planning permission requirements for most solar water heating installations have been relaxed following changes introduced in April 2008 to allow for most dwellings to have roof mounted and stand-alone systems installed. However, certain size criteria must be met and we advise that you check with your local authority to see which conditions might apply to your property in your area. Exceptions apply for listed buildings, those in a conservation area, and World Heritage sites, so again please check for details.

Please contact us and one of our accredited installers will happily visit, at a time to suit you, to assess your requirements.

For a free design and quotation please call or email us now.

Solar thermal heating installer Kent

Solar thermal heating installer Surrey

Solar thermal heating installer Sussex

Solar thermal heating installer London

« Solar Photovoltaic Panels

Underfloor Heating Systems »