Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Energy Systems
Harness the power of the sun in your home with ENERGY-SAVING and MONEY-SAVING solar systems from Brackenwood.
Solar power... renewable, reliable, rewarding
Each year the sun delivers around 8,000 times as much energy as we consume worldwide. In the UK alone, we receive solar radiation equivalent to the output of over 1,000 power stations.
Now that planning permission rules for the installation of solar panels have been relaxed, the take-up of renewable forms of energy by home-owners is now well under way.
Solar power technology is already very common in many other European countries such as Germany where 60% of homes benefit from solar generated power.
However, like all new technologies, it's not surprising that questions often arise from home and business owners interested in embracing the benefits of cleaner, more-efficient and environmentally-friendly solar energy systems.
Here are the top 5 most frequently asked questions:
1. How does domestic solar energy work?
Solar energy from the sun is absorbed by solar 'collector tubes' that are mounted on the roof of your home or business and facing in a southerly direction. The solar collectors then heat up significantly more than the ambient air temperature. Once they reach a specific temperature, heat will then be transferred into a hot water cylinder via a one-piece tube from the roof.
During the summer months, a solar hot water system can often provide all your hot water needs - and about half that during the rest of the year. For example, solar thermal can meet up to 70% of annual hot water needs for a gas-heated, three-bedroom, semi-detached house according to the Energy Saving Trust.
2. Is my property suitable?
It's estimated that over 90% of properties in the UK are suitable for solar hot water systems but the following simple guidelines will need to be followed to make sure you reap the rewards that solar energy can provide.
Most important is the aspect or orientation of your roof where the solar panels will be located (and taking into account whether or not the roof is in shade). So the chances are that your property will be suitable - you just might have to have an extra collector to maximise the system's output.
3. Will I Need Planning Permission?
Planning permission rules and regulations for solar panels were relaxed in 2008 to encourage more home-owners to take up this renewable form of energy.
As a guide, all solar installations should take into consideration the following recommendations:
- Solar panels should be sited to minimise the impact on the appearance of the building and to minimise the effect on the character of the area
- Solar panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface
- If your property is a listed building, installation is likely to need an application for consent, even where planning permission is not needed
- If your property is in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site, planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and are visible from the road. If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the road.
4. What about maintenance and servicing?
Brackenwood's solar systems requires minimal maintenance, but in order to maintain the effectiveness of the solar collector, it's recommended that the anti-freeze that circulates within the system is changed every few years or so. This is a straightforward process, however, we can provide an on-going maintenance package to give you peace of mind.
Guarantee:
- All high performance solar panel collectors from Brackenwood have a life expectancy of around 30 years and carry a comprehensive 10 year guarantee period for extra piece of mind.
Accreditation:
- Brackenwood's solar panel collectors are manufactured in accordance with ISO9001:2000 and EN 12975-2 and carry Solar Keymark certification - a European Body designed to assist home-owners in choosing high quality solar products.
5. What's involved during a solar installation?
Brackenwood is committed to delivering a hassle-free installation that gets you up and running as quickly as possible.
Installing a solar system normally takes between one and two days depending on the size of your home or business. It's possible that some installations may take a little longer if, for example, your roof space or loft has restricted access.
Once the system installation is complete, Brackenwood's engineers will show how to use your new solar system to make sure you know how it works and how to operate it.
Want to know more?
Contact Brackenwood now or call Freephone 0800 25 35 45 to see how you can invest in your home, your business AND your future with solar energy.
