How Many Solar Hot Water Panels Do I Need?

Before installing a solar hot water system on your commercial building, there are a couple of things you need to consider:

Is there sufficient roof space for collecting sunlight?

If the roof of your building faces south and receives direct sunlight for the main part of the day, there will be a sufficient amount of sunlight to warrant the installation of a panel system. The size a system will take up is fully dependent on how big your building is and how much water you need to heat. Alternatively, if don't have a south-facing roof, you could install panels on both the east and west facing roof although the system may not run as efficiently.

Another option if your commercial building is a flat roof structure is to mount the panels on a-frames which can be positioned at the optimum angle and orientation to maximise the output of the system.

Do you have sufficient space within your home for a large hot water cylinder?

If the cylinder you currently have installed is not able to be used for a solar hot water system or you don't yet have a cylinder then you will need to purchase one to be installed. The size of the cylinder is directly related to the amount of hot water you need to generate. Typical estimations for homes suggest each person would require 50 litres of hot water, although this would obviously be different for commercial buildings and very much depend on the buildings purpose. For more advice on this please call us on 0845 873 8612 or contact us via email.

Using your existing boiler with a solar hot water system.

Most conventional boilers are suitable for use with solar hot water systems. If you have a combi boiler and you don't currently have a hot water tank then a solar hot water system may not be compatible, please contact us for advice.

Planning permission.

>In England most solar water heating systems don't need planning permission, but it is always best to consult your local planning office if your building is listed or in conservation area, world heritage site etc. If your commercial building is in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you will need to consult your local authority for advice before proceeding with an install.