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The sky’s the limit with solar

While some rural homeowners are content to make small steps towards reducing the energy they use – by installing a new high efficiency boiler or investing in loft and cavity wall insulation, for example – others are looking for something more sustainable. It is these forward-thinking customers that are driving the solar thermal water heating market. And, from April 6 2008, all homeowners can install micro-generation equipment, including solar panels, without the need for planning permission, as long as there is clearly no impact on others.

So how do solar thermal water heating systems work? Well, they convert free solar energy, the most abundant energy source on the planet, directly into heat, and produce relatively few greenhouse gas emissions in the process.

Solar collector panels or evacuated tubes, positioned on a property’s roof, collect and convert energy from the sun’s rays, which then heats a liquid contained in the system’s pipework. This liquid is circulated through a solar coil located in the base of a specially designed cylinder, which then transfers heat to the stored water, producing hot water.

Solar thermal systems require some supplementary water heating, provided via conventional fossil fuels, i.e. gas, LPG, oil or electricity, and a boiler or immersion heater. This is because in the UK, the sun’s energy can only deliver around 50 per cent of a household’s hot water requirements, though during hot summer months the solar energy can do almost all of the work.

Solar thermal technology can help you to expand your business, so why not look into getting qualified? It’s easier than you think, and could help you to attract new customers in your area.

Training on solar thermal water systems is currently available from a number of leading heating manufacturers. Study courses are usually very short – just two or three days – and once you have successfully passed your theoretical and practical assessments, you will receive a Logic or BPEC qualification, depending on the approved trainer. You are then ready to capitalise on potential new business prospects.

Solar courses cover a range of topics, such as relevant regulations and standards and the different types of solar thermal heating systems available, as well as how to design, install and commission a system. You will need to have a minimum qualification to attend an accredited course – installers must hold a G3 certificate in unvented hot water systems, as well as an ODPM recognised certificate for a conventional fuel such as gas, LPG, oil or solid fuel. For plumbers, an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent plumbing qualification is required.