Solar Thermal Collection

Solar Thermal Collection

Welcome to Atlantic Contracting Ltd's Solar Collection Division. Here we will try to explain the design types and variables which we take into consideration before planning an installation to suit your hot water requirements. Our Atlantic team are accredited installers of Solar Thermal Systems to provide heat for a conventional boiler or immersion heater.

Solar panels attached to a South facing roof preferably (but can be installed on a East/West roof with about a 20% reduction on the South facing). Solar thermanl units collect heat from the sun and use it to heat water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. Solar Thermal system pumps an antifreeze solution through the solar collector. The heated solution then flows through a coil within the hot water tank and exchanges this heat with the water that is stored inside. Subsequently, the antifreeze solution returns to the collector for re-heating and the process begins again.

Atlantic follows a guideline of around 20 square feet (2 square meters) of collector area for each of the adult family members. For every additional person we addition 12–14 square feet (1 to 2 sqaure meters).

The types of microgeneration systems Atlantic actively install are:

• Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic (polymer) covers. Unglazed flat-plate collectors—typically used for solar pool heating—have a dark absorber plate, made of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.
• Direct circulation systems Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home.
• Indirect circulation systems Probably the most common install is the Indirect Circulation System which pumps a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home.

A closed loop (Flat-plate/Indirect circulation) solar thermal system is used to heat a hot water tank. If "closed loop" sounds like technical babble, it only means that a system of piping circulates a liquid (either water or anti-freeze) through a self-enclosed system. The most popular and widely recommended of these is a system using glycol or anti-freeze.

A solar pool heater (direct circulation) popular and practical, is an open loop system. It's called this because water circulates back into the pool, which is (of course) an open system. The panels can routinely exceed 100°C and can easily heat a swimming pool indoor and outdoor, this is an ideal use and can be a very effective way of reducing the heating and CO² costs associated with swimming pools.

Solar Collector Systems will improve your building energy rating and save you money on your energy bills. In the summer months, the Solar Thermal system can provide almost all of your hot water needs and around 50% for the rest of year. On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%. Also, because the sun is free, you're protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.

The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and most importantly safety issues before, during and after install. Installation on a residential property will typically take a couple of days. For larger installations on schools/factories or hospitals up to 2 weeks depending on building size.

Sizing your Solar Collection Heating System basically involves determining the total collector area and the storage volume you'll need to meet 70%–100% of your household, public building or business hot water needs during the summer. Atlantic use worksheets to help determine system requirements and collector sizing. The client is always informed about all system size costs and returns.

With the Solar Collector you are safe in the knowledge that they can provide - upto 70% of your yearly hot water needs. -Reduction on your hot water energy costs. -Lower your carbon footprint.

If you have current plans to invest in a Solar Collector but can't decide which?, when?, how?, what? or costing? get in touch with with us and a friendly advisor will try and assist your needs. Just fill in the information in the contact us section.