Solar water heating

Solar water heating systems are the most popular form of solar energy used in the UK.

Solar water heating systems can provide over half of a household's hot water requirements over the year.

These panels absorb the energy from the sun and distribute it to the water used for showers, baths, etc.

There are 2 types of solar water heating collector: flat plate and evacuated tubes.

Flat Plate Collectors

Solar water heating panels in their simplest form are made of copper tubes attached to a sheet of metal, which increase the surface area. The metal sheets are coated with a special low emissivity black paint that absorbs and retains the heat
from the sun. The metal sheets and tubes are embedded in an insulated box, which prevents the heat from escaping and covered with glass or clear plastic on the front to maximise solar gains.

Evacuated Tubes

Collectors can be made of a series of vacuumed
glass tubes. The heat transfer liquid is in a finned
pipe in the centre of the tube and is heated up by
the sun as in flat plate collectors. The vacuum in
the tube is very effective at preventing heat
losses ensuring good capture of the solar energy.