Guidance note

Solar Thermal

So lar water heating systems use free heat from the sun to warm water which can then be made hotter by a conventi onal boiler or immersion heater. They are one of the most efficient renewable technologies and if your church building uses a lot of hot water during the year can be very cost effective.

Benefits of solar water system and can reduce your temperature uses e.g. heating carbon dioxide emissions. oversized radiators or under- Hot water throughout the floor heating. year: the system works all Cheaper option: Solar year round, though you'll thermal can cost a lot less to Type of panel: need to heat the water further install than other with a boiler or immersion microgeneration technologies. There are two types of solar heater during the winter water heating panels: months. Flat plate collectors or Cut your bills: sunlight is How does it work? free, so once you've paid for Evacuated tubes (up to 20% the initial installation your Solar water heating systems more efficient than a flat plate hot water costs will be use solar panels, called system but are also more reduced and you can get paid collectors, fitted to the roof. expensive and generally for generating heat through a These collect energy from the bulkier). solar thermal installation sun and use it to heat up through the Renewable Heat water which is stored in a hot Costs: the cost of installing a Incentive. water cylinder. An efficient typical solar water heating solar thermal system will system is around £4,800. Cut your carbon reduce but not replace the Savings are moderate - the footprint: solar hot water is need for a conventional system could provide most of a green, renewable heating heating system. It is ideal for your hot water in the summer, pre-heating water, or for low-

but much less during colder of less than 200 kWth are Is your current boiler weather. eligible for a generation compatible with solar payment of 8.5 (pence/kWh) water heating? Maintenance: costs are generally low. Most solar Note: You will not be eligible Most conventional boiler and water heating systems come for the RHI if you have hot water cylinder systems are with a five-year or ten-year received a ‘grant from public compatible with solar water warranty and require little funds’ for the costs of heating. But if your boiler is a maintenance. You should take purchasing or installing your combination boiler (combi) a look at your panels every renewable heat installation. and you don't currently have a year and have them checked hot water tank, a solar hot more thoroughly by an Is solar water heating water system may not be accredited installer every 5 right for your church: compatible. years. Do you have a sunny place A competent accredited Savings: Solar water heating to put solar panels? installer will be able to assess systems can achieve savings your church and help you on your energy bills. Based on You'll need around five square choose the best setup to meet the results of the Energy metres of roof space which your needs. Saving Trust’s recent field receives direct sunlight for the trial, typical savings from a main part of the day. The It is important to contact your well-installed and properly panels don't have to be Diocesan Advisory Committee used domestic system are £55 mounted on a roof: they can Secretary early in the process. per year when replacing gas be fixed to a frame on a flat heating and £80 per year roof or hanging from a wall. when replacing electric If your church is listed you immersion heating; however, will need to consider visibility savings will vary from user to and fixings to ensure that the user. collectors do not damage the special character and Typical domestic carbon appearance of the building. savings are around 230kgCO2/year when replacing gas and 510kgCO2/year when Do you have space for a replacing electric immersion larger, or an extra, hot heating. water cylinder?

Earnings : You may be able If a dedicated solar cylinder is to receive payments for the not already installed then you heat you generate from a solar will usually need to replace water heating system through the existing cylinder, or add a the government’s Renewable dedicated cylinder with a solar Heat Incentive . Installations heating coil.