Solar Panels

Gary144

Hi all,

I am new to the boards, and looking for advice.
I am thinking about getting solar panels, but don't know which ones are the best. I am looking at Surface Power, which claim to have 783Kw/m2 per year. All I know is that the live data on its site is saying that today the water was 48 degrees with it raining all day.

Last week it was at 62 degrees.

Any help would be grateful

heinbloed

You propably mean Solar Thermal collectors (ST collectors).
There are test reports available, see

http://www.estif.org/solarkeymark/

http://www.solarenergy.ch/Home.44.0.html?&L=6
(left column)

Gary144

Thanks heinbloed,

will need to research those websites

PeteHeat

Hi,

I have never seen that brand / product performing anything like they say on their web site, I find their claims very misleading and totally out of context as they never refer to the second or third heat sources (immersion / boiler)

I have asked to be allowed to visit any one of their "High Performing" installations but was refused on some lame exscuse, I also asked why the systems I was looking at were not performing anything close to the "High Performing" systems and never received an answer.

Too many exaggerated claims with no substance, keep looking.

.

Gary144

Thanks for your reply Pete. I think I'll keep looking. I left a message for Surface power to call me back yesterday and am still waiting. What if there was a problem and need support.

Once again Thanks Pete

Barack Obama

Gary - keep us updated on your progress please! I'm interested in this as well and it's always good to have some feed back from someone that's been through it.

Gary144

Barack Obama wrote: »

Gary - keep us updated on your progress please! I'm interested in this as well and it's always good to have some feed back from someone that's been through it.

I got a very good deal from a supplier that was recommended to me. I ended up getting the Kingspan Thermamax HP200 40 Tubes with a 300lt cylinder for the same price as a 30 tube lesser quality competitor. So have made my purchases and I will be installing it next week.

millie81

Hi gary
Will you keep us updated as Im looking at solar too and am looking for some advice as to the best system. Getting plenty of advice but would like to talk to people have installed systems to see how they actually operate-and not a sale spiel!!

Gary144

millie81 wrote: »

Hi gary
Will you keep us updated as Im looking at solar too and am looking for some advice as to the best system. Getting plenty of advice but would like to talk to people have installed systems to see how they actually operate-and not a sale spiel!!

Hi Millie81

I put in the evacuated tubes, as I was told that they are better than flat panels. Its up and running since Saturday. I'll keep you informed.
If you are looking for type and costs pm me and I'll tell you all about it.

goat2

i was speaking with a neighbour who has the solar panels, they are not that happy with the whole thing, as he said from september till april, there is little or no hot water from them, and is not over the moon about them, i was thinking of having them installed, and this is making me think twice

Gary144

goat2 wrote: »

i was speaking with a neighbour who has the solar panels, they are not that happy with the whole thing, as he said from september till april, there is little or no hot water from them, and is not over the moon about them, i was thinking of having them installed, and this is making me think twice

As I said in a previous post I only have them installed since Saturday last. I did a little experiment today and the thermostat for the boiler was at 30 degrees before the boiler came on. This meant that the boiler only took 20 mins to heat up the cylinder which normaly take 1 hour. The only thing negative I have to say at the momenent is because the solar panels are connected at the bottom of the cylinder. The boiler only heats the top 2/3 of the cylinder. Which means that a little less water. Sorry have a 300lt cylinder now. Old one was 200lt. Hope this helps

goat2

that is very positive, and now i see that it is the tubes you went for, i hear the tubes are not as durable as the flat panels, i dont know much about this, i am wondering if this is true, i have heard also that the tubes collect more energy from the sun

Gary144

goat2 wrote: »

that is very positive, and now i see that it is the tubes you went for, i hear the tubes are not as durable as the flat panels, i dont know much about this, i am wondering if this is true, i have heard also that the tubes collect more energy from the sun

I did go for the Tubes. They are up on the roof and can withstand a football landing on them. They are more efficient that the flat panel. Got the bottom of the cylinder to 42 C yesterday. The boiler used to come on for 1 hour 40 mins every day for the water. Now I only have it set for 30mins and lots of hot water.

refco

have the tubes as well and am delighted with them from mid march to end september no other means of heating water needed and on average they are putting 30 degrees into the tank every day for winter means heating water from 30 to 50 instead of 10 to 50 over winter

paddy147

I have a flat plate system,water temp is a constant 55 degrees C and I love it.

Hot water 24/4 too.Happy days.:)

goat2

i have seen the tubes up close, i have heard that they are easy break, but as you say that a football crashing onto them would not do damage, i will be going that road hopefully

Joey the lips

From all the reading i have done so far.... Tubes are better than panels. for installiation reasons and for volume reasons. Tubes get more sun than flat panels. However depending on the level of the sun shadows are cast on the tubes.

johnjoe1966

Hi can you send me details of prices you got for installation of panels and if you would recommend an installer??

goat2

it is great to get the kind of output you are getting for these shortest coldest days of the year, my guess is, when middle of march come round you will be getting great output, but in may, you will be totally seen after for hot water right up until end of september without having to switch on oil or emmersion

mad m

Got Windhager solar package with 300litre cylinder done a few years ago now...Maybe it was overkill on 3 panels in hindsight. But during summer its great. never have to heat up water. Get showers/baths/washing from it...

But during now its showing 12.6 on panels and cylinder is showing up just over 20 degrees....

goat2

i do think that is great output right now, we are having very little sun at mo and short days,

johnjoe1966

Any chance you can provide details/cost??

Gary144 wrote: »

I got a very good deal from a supplier that was recommended to me. I ended up getting the Kingspan Thermamax HP200 40 Tubes with a 300lt cylinder for the same price as a 30 tube lesser quality competitor. So have made my purchases and I will be installing it next week.

Officer Giggles

johnjoe1966 wrote: »

Any chance you can provide details/cost??

+1

theduke1

Officer Giggles wrote: »

+1

+1 from me too