SOLAR HEATING

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Solar heating (also known as solar thermal) is the system of where the solar radiation from the Sun is used to directly heat up water within exposed pipework, which is then pumped into a cylinder within the hot water tank to heat the water within the tank. This water is finally used as the hot water supply throughout the property.

According to the EnergySavingTrustUK, trails have shown that using solar (water) heating can provide a domestic home approximately 60% of its hot water demand, although this figure is only an approximation and only considered aspects such as a small family of 4 using the water and the time of day the hot water is in demand (Sun will provide greater heating of water at different times of the day).



TYPES OF SOLAR HEATING

Solar heating can be incorporated on to a property using one of two systems;
  • Excavated Tubes
Using a vacuumed tube made of glass, the water is pumped through metal absorber tubes, these tubes are heated by the sun, which through convection heats the water.

  • Flat Plate Panel
These panels are usually created in a box like structure with a glass/plastic top. The solar radiation passes through the glass/plastic top and into the box, where the pipework carrying the water is fitted into an absorber plate. The box housing is insulated to retain heat; the flat plates heat up through the radiation, which in turn transfer the heat to the water in the pipework.



PRACTICAL EXPERIMENT

Practical solar heating system (Bagnall, 2015)
Part of our CAT week, we were involved in creating our own solar heating, flat plate system with 15&22mm copper pipework, an insulated box and absorber plates. This exercise showed how the installation of the system has to be calculated, while carefully fixed together; like a lot of groups found, once the water was put through the system and pressure applied, if the joint where too loose they would burst, if they were too tight they would leak (Photographs accompanying show completed practical experiment).  

The system itself has approximately a 50% efficiency, which shows how the system utilizes the solar radiation well. To increase the solar absorption, the system will be painted black. The maintenance of the system is generally low-cost too, with most suppliers providing up at a 10-year warranty on their solar heating systems. A certified installer should come and check the system and accompanying water pump ever 3-7 years, the only part which to buyer will need to regularly check personally is for leaks or burst pipework.

Practical solar heating system being heated by sun (Bagnall, 2015)



 APPLICATION TO PROJECT

Due to its high efficiency, you could say that this system would certainly be used within the final project. However, because of the size of the project (school) and the size of the systems which will need to be installed to accommodate those within the building, the size of the system will need to be calculated so a space can be created (solar heating system can be placed on the ground flat, however this could result in a lower efficiency, meaning more systems will need to be installed). With choice to system, I feel that using an excavated tube system would allow me to utilise the solar radiation most efficiently. 

COMPANIES/SUPPLIERS 

 Vaillant - http://www.vaillant.co.uk/products/renewables/solar-thermal-water-heating/
King Span Solar - http://www.kingspansolar.co.uk/
Dimplex - http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/renewable_solutions/solar_water_heating/index.htm

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Energy Saving Trust - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/content/solar-water-heating
You Gen - http://www.yougen.co.uk/renewable-energy/Solar+Thermal/
Light Source - http://www.lightsource-re.co.uk/news/2014/09/should-i-use-a-solar-pv-or-solar-thermal-system/


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MYSELF & CAT

My name is Shaun Thomas Bagnall and I am a second year Architectural Technology Student at Nottingham Trent University. The purpose of this blog is to explore various types of alternative technologies which can be utilised in our construction methods, while improving our environmental impact. CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) in Machynlleth, Wales is a centre (charity based on donations) which explores various ways in which the construction industry can produce work in a more renewable and less-harmful way, leading to a brighter future.

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