Hello, I am new to this forum. We live in Ireland and would like to get solar for hot water only. Our roof faces around 53 degrees west of south. It also gets some shading in winter in the middle of the day, perhaps some in spring and autumn as well. Would we get enough from our solar to make it worthwhile? Thanks for any help you can give.
ingleside
8 Nov 2009, 8:40 PM
We've got solar thermal, facing south east, unshaded. First thought is that solar thermal is working hardest in winter to achieve what you want. It's worth doing 'something' to increase the efficiency in the winter, even if this decreases it in the summer, when you've normally got some slack. So winter shade is bad news. General thought - if you're doing solar thermal primarily to save money you could be disappointed. If you're doing it to try to reduce reliance on other fuels, fight global warming etc, it will always give you something. Only you can decide whether it's enough! Tony
tony
8 Nov 2009, 8:47 PM
definitely do it -- you roof angle is better than most peoples and it is OK for it face a bit like south west.
heinbloed
8 Nov 2009, 8:50 PM
For a good advise get an energy advisor. He/she would sign a guarantee on an installation. You would have to deliver a more accurate number than a thermal energy demand estimation in the size of " hot water only " There are many different collector/storage systems available. Most installers have no experience with more then one or two systems. So get independant,guaranteed advise, be it the installer/seller or your energy advisor. Guaranteed in writing the total harvested energy, the total stored energy, the total used energy (at the tap). If a payed person can't answer and guarantee these numbers say by-by. For a first check on the potential of your installation area/roof try this: http://constructireland.ie/vb/showthread.php?s=d9411a358cb4a1eefa2b9fcf9d82bdef&t=1003
Wyland
11 Nov 2009, 11:47 AM
As you are going to be investing a considerable amount of money into your initiative, it's worth spending enough to ensure you have a good quality system. To start with, a vacuum tube collector rather than a 'flat plate' one is generally a sensible buy as it is more sophisticated: the tubes reduce conducted heat losses, allowing them to reach considerably higher temperatures, and the curved surface enables it to compensate for changes in the angle of the sun throughout the year. They are very suitable for the UK climate, in fact.
Then look for a reputable company. As solar hot water systems are becoming more popular, it's inevitable that some less-than-reliable operators have been entering the market.
