Engineering quality of the SCHOTT collector
Spot the Difference?
The market is currently swamped with solar collectors imported from China, that on the face of it look a bargain. I am regularly approached by companies in China to be their representative within the UK but have always declined. Green Heart was established with the goal of providing “best in class” solar systems, using market leading components. Our systems may not be the cheapest, but they are amongst the most advanced and the highest in terms of engineering and efficiency. We like the view of fit and forget (of our systems but not of our Customers!!!)
I recently read an article about an ingenious Chinese man that made his mother a solar system out of beer bottles. The bottles were placed on the roof and a tube was inserted in between them. As the water passed though the bottles, it was heated by the solar radiation and provided enough water for his mother. This is similar practice to the majority of solar systems, although the technology is somewhat more advanced.
This article made me think of the differences between the collectors we use, SCHOTT etc16 evacuated tube collectors, and others that are available. Not only are the SCHOTT collectors more efficient, they are also extremely well engineered and constructed.
One of the main issues with evacuated tube collectors is the connection between the actual tubes and the manifold of the unit. These connections need to tolerate extreme temperatures, from minus figures in the winter, up to 150°C+ in the summer. As such the manufacturing of solar collectors must be so that they can withstand these conditions. All SCHOTT collectors are pre-assembled in their automated state-of-the-art factory in Germany and do not need to be assembled on site by our installers (who although are professional plumbers, are not professional solar manufacturers!). Every collector is tested prior to their dispatch to ensure that the manufacturing quality is 100%.
With the SCHOTT collectors we are comfortable that once they are installed on the roof, they will serve your hot water needs for many years to come without losing performance or the need to replace tubes. You can be confident that with a Green Heart system installed you have opted for a quality solar system that will give you piece of mind.
Breaking News - G8 leaders "agree climate deal"
It has just been announced that the leaders of the world’s 8 richest countries have agreed to a deal on tackling the climate change issues, albeit a compromise.
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said "We agreed....that CO2 emissions must first be stopped and then followed by substantial reductions".
Mrs Merkel has been pushing for a 50% cut in emissions by 2050, but the US had resisted calls for targets to be fixed. She said that the G8 leaders had agreed to consider her target, but there was no suggestion that a final agreement would include any mandatory commitment to major emissions cuts.
Not really sure what this means, but hopefully more information will come to light. Again it’s another agreement from the powers that be that is a bit vague and doesn’t actually stipulate any measurable targets that everyone is tied into. The suggestion that a final agreement would not include any mandatory commitment surely means that something will be drawn up, but you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.
We’ll see, but time is pressing on and something needs to be done.
Payback on Solar Thermal systems
Working in this sector, I am always asked by Customers, "What is the payback on a system like this". This often leads me to the response of "What is the payback of your current system". I’m often met with an uneasy giggle as they know the answer is never, and it will always cost them more and more.
I hold my hands up and admit that a solar thermal hot water system is more expensive than a traditional gas boiler, but it will pay for itself in more ways than one, financially and environmentally. However, more importantly, it's a lifestyle change, and one which you will need to sign up to or chose to ignore.
I have just read an article that was published in The Guardian in September 2006 (Soaring energy costs make solar power a bright idea, by Ashley Seager). In it, Ashley highlights a couple of points that clearly show the benefits of installing a solar thermal system on your property. These include;
The payback time would matter if a solar system added no value. But evidence suggests solar power can add nearly 9% to a property's value.
The yield of a system could be as much as 8% if the property is not on gas, but even as much of 4.25% if using gas as a main energy source.
Savings also include using gas boilers less, as these can be largely switched off between May and October. This results in the need to service them once every 2 years, rather than 1 year, as well as increasing the life of the boiler.
You could even add the carbon dioxide saving. This is a difficult one but some economists "value" a tonne of CO2 at about £20. Domestic solar systems save 1-2 tonnes a year of CO2, adding a theoretical £20 to £40 a year of savings as well.
Security of supply isn’t even mentioned, which I believe will come more into play in the future.
Ashley does recognise some down falls of a solar thermal system, in so far as you can only use so much hot water. Also, you may be on holiday for some of your summer months, which are peak generation time, which can cause an issue with some solar systems through over heating. However, Green Heart recognises this and incorporate Thermal Store technology by Gledhill to overcome these problems. The Thermal Store is linked to your central heating / underfloor heating as well as hot water and can store solar gains at a higher temperature, reducing the likelihood of overheating when unused in summer months.
So, on the back of this, if we take a fully installed Green Heart heating system at £4,500, you have already “paid” for it on day 1 if your property is valued at £50,000 or more. Added to this the energy savings per year as well as the maintenance of your existing boiler, the payback is much quicker than one might think.
Get your £400 Government Grant Now!
As of 9.00am this morning, householders can now be able to apply for a £400 Government Grant for their Green Heart solar thermal hot water and heating system.
As previously mentioned, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was suspended for a while meaning that no grants had been available, but this is now all back on track. You will now be able to apply for £400, or 30% of the cost of the system (whichever is the lower) online!
I have attached a link to the online application form below, for your ease.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Application form
As always, if you have any queries, or require assistance in completing this form - please contact Green Heart on 0870 609 4587
Good news! Planning red tape reduced to help you install solar
Today the Government has unveiled a white paper that aims to encourage councils to focus their time on major projects by removing certain planning requirements for minor alterations.
You may ask "What does this mean to me", but one of the main points mentioned is that it seeks to cut the red tape for householders wanting to install small-scale renewable technologies, such as solar thermal.
So, in principle, planning permission will not be required where it is clear there is little or no impact on neighbours.
I have previously spoken to planning departments to do with a property in a conversation area that I wanted to install solar thermal panels on. Their initial reaction was a strong "NO" mentioning that as it was in a conservation area, it would not be appropriate,. My point I put to them was surely reducing the need to burn fossil fuels and help the environment is the ultimate conservation one could do!
It is now comforting that councils are to adopt a sensible approach and means there is one less hurdle before you install your Green Heart heating system!!
Douglas does it again! 8 wins out of 8
Green Heart Installations' Technical Director, Douglas Pattison, took well deserved break last week to compete in the Lake Garda Riva Cup, a weeks International 14 sailing event in Italy. In the spirit of Green Heart, Douglas walked away with eight victories out of eight races, a fantastic result, and one which truly embellishes what is in the heart of everyone at Green Heart.
We all wish to say "Well Done" to Douglas and his team mate, Archie Massey, and hope the winning streak continues!
More information can be found on the following link and watch this space for some photos.
Brown announces Green Towns
This week Gordon Brown has announced that one of his immediate goals as Britain's new Prime minister is the introduction of 5 Eco-Towns, each containing 100,000 homes. The goal is to ensure that all properties are Carbon Neutral, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This can be achieved by the following methods
Getting all your summer hot water from solar thermal collectors
Having the rest of your hot water needs taken care of by other renewables such as heat pumps or wood pellet boilers
All of your heating provided by super insulation, passive solar gain, draughtproofing
The ability to not rely on gas as an energy source
Reduce electricity demands by 30% using energy efficient lighting, class A electric and water-saving devices
80% of your annual electricity needs from roof-mounted solar electric panels
The remainder of your annual electricity needs from micro and community silent helical wind turbines.
For a while now, the technology has been there to make "new build" houses more environmentally friendly, through increased thermal efficiency and integrating various forms of renewable energy sources. However, nothing has really been done and properties are still being built using "old school" technologies. In fact, developments have been approved that hinder renewables being integrated down the line - Major developers may not want to integrate renewables now, but at least give the householder the opportunity to choose for themselves. One example of this, is a development by George Wimpey by GCHQ in Cheltenham, where a high proportion of the roofs face north, meaning solar thermal hot water systems can never be a cost effective option.
It's good news that Gordon Brown has put his hat in the ring at an important stage in his political career and I hope that this is the start of a more environmentally focused Government.
Government Grants for Solar Thermal back on track
It has recently been announced that householders will again be allowed to apply for a government grant in order to assist with integration of solar thermal systems to their property. This will go live on 29th May 2007.
The scheme, Low Carbon Buildings Programme, was suspended earlier in the year following issues with the allocation of grants and was dogged by the fact that a monthly cap was imposed. This meant that all of the allocated funds were taken up within hours forcing people to wait another month, or not bother at all.
On key change to the application is the requirement to have planning permission, if applicable, before applying for the grant. Green Heart would always suggest that householders give their local planning departments a call prior to installing a solar thermal system to check whether planning permission is required - in the majority of cases it is not required.
More information on what you can do now in preparation can before on the following link;
The Government releases Climate Change Bill
On 14th March 2007 the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) presented the draft Climate Change Bill to the Government, which legally binds it achieving a 60% carbon dioxide reduction by 2050.
The opening sentence of the Prime Minister’s forward is “The threat from climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge facing our world”. It’s good to see that the realization of the effects our world is going through is beginning to taken seriously.
To put the report in context, without you having to read 179 pages, the goal is to put in place a clear and precise pathway to achieve a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, with real progress made by 2020 i.e. a reduction of between 26% and 32%.
Key points;
Creation of statutory medium and long-term targets, alongside carbon budgeting. From 2008-2012 it will be proposed that there is a limit of carbon dioxide emissions. By it being in statue, if the Government fails, it can take itself to court.
Creation of an independent body, “The Committee on Climate Change”, to advise the Government on how to reduce emissions
The Committee on Climate Change will be required to report, on an annual basis, publicly to Parliament on the progress made. The Government will then be required to respond to the independent report.
The types of policies the draft report has suggested to achieve reduction are through taxes, voluntary agreements, traditional regulations, awareness raising and trading schemes,
The report indicates that the majority of carbon dioxide emitted by the UK comes from the burning of fossil fuels (e.g. oil, gas and coal) for the production of electricity, running vehicles and heat. By reducing the amounts burned, we are reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted. The effects of this can be seen at individual level i.e. you decide to drive, you are emitting carbon dioxide, you decide to heat your home with traditional fuel, you are emitting carbon dioxide. This will mean a greater focus on consumers producing their own energy at home.
Probably the most environmentally friendly cow shed in the world.....
Not wanting to take anything away from Calsburg, but I think that Green Heart has a punt at providing the world's most environmentally friendly cow shed.The cow shed in question is at the bottom of a garden in a village just outside Chichester, Hampshire - it has since been converted into a dwelling. It had a water supply running from the road, which is 200m away and there is no oil or gas supplied to the cottage.
The property was only used during the summer as there was no central heating. Green Heart was asked to find a suitable solution to provide hot water and central heating ,whilst taking advantage of natural resources that the client had in abundance - such as the sun and wood.
The cost of running a gas or oil pipe would have also been prohibitive to fitting a boiler and so the following solution was provided:
- Gledhill Torrent 170 RE thermal store- 2 x SCHOTT etc16 evacuated tube collectors- Wood burning stove with back boiler- 3 radiators and a towel rail providing 7kW of heatThere was a problem as the water pressure and flow rate were low, owing to the narrow incoming main, meaning a Gledhill Torrent was not going to be an option. This was frustrating as no other product we know of will provide mains-pressure hot water and central heating. Fortunately Grundfos has just come up with a new product – http://www.grundfos.com/web/homeUK.nsf/ad40134eb90502a6c1256ac400234192/a772ae6bfaec05ab802571b50053e8c8/$FILE/home%20booster%20sales%20leaflet.pdf . This has a 200 litre water storage capacity and will pump out a variety of different pressures and flow rates on demand. This solved our problem and for £850 we managed to save running a new incoming main which would have a lot more costly.
The cottage now enjoys 3 bar and 20 litres per minute hot water. The new shower that has also been installed works very well indeed! And the lucky person enjoying a stay in the cow shed no longer freezes when they get out of that bath owing to the thermostatically controlled central heating.
