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North East Renewables, 18B Manor Way, Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham, TS23 4HN Tel: 01642 373028 Email: advice@n-e-renewables.co.uk"
North East Renewable Energy Directory
Factors to consider
When choosing whether or not to install a solar thermal system the following conditions are worth considering to ensure that the proposed building is suitable. Preferably the building will need:
- 2 - 5m2 of Southeast to southwest facing roof space that receives minimal shading during the main part of the day
- Space to locate an additional water cylinder if required
- Existing water heating system (e.g. some combi-boilers may not be suitable)
- The budget available for the project
A competent professional installer should be able to assess the situation and propose the best configuration to meet the needs of the building. This includes ensuring that the solar system is efficiently integrated with any auxiliary water heating sources to gain the greatest benefit.
New build or Retro-fit
Solar hot water systems may installed on new build project or as part of a retro-fit programme. Various costs can be off-set from the cost of a SWH system if installation can be planned with other refurbishment work. Solar installations on taller buildings are likely to require the use of scaffolding tower, in which case coinciding a solar hot water system installation with any roofing work that is required will also help to off-set the installation costs.
Questions to ask suppliers
- Is your product certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)? The MCS underpins the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which provides grants for installing renewable energy technologies. MCS is designed to evaluate products and installers against robust criteria for microgeneration technologies. Visit this website to find an MCS approved product: www.greenbooklive.com/page.jsp?id=131
- Is your product a flat‐plate system or an evacuated tube system? Evacuated tube systems are more efficient but also more expensive.
- Does your product comply with the relevant BSI British Standards? Relevant BSI British Standards may include (depending on whether your enquiry regards solar ollectors only, factory made systems or custom made systems): BS EN 12975‐1:2006 Thermal solar systems and components. Solar collectors. General requirements; BS EN 12975‐2:2006 Thermal solar systems and components. Solar collectors. Test methods; BS EN 12976‐1:2006 Thermal solar systems and components. Factory made systems. General requirements; BS EN 12976‐2:2006 Thermal solar systems components. Factory made systems. Test methods; DD ENV 12977‐1:2001 Thermal solar systems and components. Custom built systems. General requirements; DD ENV 12977‐2:2001 Thermal solar systems
and components. Custom built systems. Test methods.
Questions to ask installers
- Are you certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)? The MCS underpins the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which provides grants for installing renewable energy technologies. MCS is designed to evaluate products and installers against robust criteria for microgeneration technologies. Visit either of these websites to find an MCS approved installer: www.greenbooklive.com/page.jsp?id=130 or www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/info/installers/find/installerfind
- Will you install the system in accordance with the BSI British Standard BS 5918:1989 Code of practice for solar heating systems for domestic hot water?
