How do solar water heating systems work?

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder.

There are two types of solar water heating panels, they are evacuated tubes and flat plate collectors. Flat plates collectors can be fixed on the roof tiles or integrated into the roof.

A boiler or immersion heater can be used as a back up to heat the water further to reach the temperature set by the cylinders thermostat when the solar water heating system does not reach that temperature.

Larger solar panels can also provide energy to heat your home as well – though usually only in the summer months when home heating is unnecessary.

(information source – Energy Savings Trust)

SGAS Solar Thermal Hot Water Course

This course will give candidates detailed explanations & practical examples of selecting, installing and commissioning flat plate collectors, evacuated tube arrays, fully filled and drain-back solar systems.

Completing the course and assessment will allow candidates to apply to an MCS Scheme provider (microgeneration certification scheme) such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or CORGI.  Where grant funding is not available for the installation, the course and assessment will allow candidates to notify the installation as a ‘controlled service’ via LBC (Local Building Control) in the usual manner.

The course content includes the following:-

-Regulations & Standards

-Collector Types

-Solar Heated Storage Vessels

-Solar Primary Circuit Types

-Basic System Design & Integration

-External & Internal Site Survey Requirements

-Filling & Commissioning

-Servicing & Fault Finding