Solar panels use the sun’s energy to provide either hot water or electricity in the home There are two different types of solar panels with very different costs and benefits:
- Solar water heating panels
- Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels
Both types of panel can be mounted on a roof, ideally facing due south. Solar panels can also be mounted on the ground using either a commercial mounting system or a bespoke wooden structure. This article covers solar water heating panels. See information on solar PV panels for electricity generation.
Solar water heating panels
This system uses the sun’s energy to provide hot water. The panels heat water protected with anti-freeze which is pumped around a circuit between the panel and a coil in the hot water storage cylinder, heating the water in the cylinder. During the summer, the energy from the sun should be sufficient for most people’s hot water needs, providing 80-90% of household demands. In the winter a gas boiler is normally used to make sure the water temperature is hot enough, as the solar heating only contributes 20-30%. Assuming you have an existing gas central heating boiler then the additional solar panels cost would include:
- Dual coil hot water cylinder (210 litres) circa £900 (£750 ex VAT) – a single coil cylinder is not suitable. See twin coil hot water cylinder.
- Roof kit for solar panels (2 panel) circa £1,440-£1,680 (£1,200-£1,400 ex VAT) depending on whether panel is mounted on roof or replaces tiles.
- Plumb kit (pump and controller) circa £600-£720 depending on heating capacity ( £500 – £600 ex VAT)
- Installation circa £800 for 2 days work.
Incentives for those installing solar water heating panels (solar thermal) are offered under Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme which came into effect on 9th April 2014. Under the RHI scheme, payments of 19.51p/kWh will be paid on domestic properties, subject to the property having an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) and having minimum levels of loft and cavity wall insulation. The payments are made quarterly for 7 years and are updated in line with inflation.
To get quotes from solar water heating installers try the solar panel quotes service.
Note: A combi boiler is not generally recommended for use with a solar water heating panel.
See an explanation of how these systems work (courtesy of Worcester Bosch).