Book Description

Solar thermal systems are an established source of renewable energy for heating water. Working in conjunction with more traditional water heating systems, such as gas boilers, they can provide a significant proportion of a building’s hot water needs. This Digest focuses on solar thermal systems in domestic buildings (ie dwellings), but the information provided may also be applied to equivalent non-domestic applications.This Digest describes the different types of solar thermal system and how they operate. Installation requirements, including integration with the building’s hot water system and the steps that should be taken to ensure their safe and efficient operation, are also discussed and methods for estimating their annual energy performance are identified. Reference is made to European Standards and certification schemes relevant to solar thermal systems to indicate the assurances that system owners and operators should expect. Financial incentives are also outlined. This is one in a series of four related BRE Digests focusing on renewable energy technologies commonly used in domestic buildings. The other technologies covered include photovoltaics, wood fuels and electrically driven heat pumps. These publications complement an earlier series of BRE Information Papersthat cover the installation of renewable energy technologies.

Contents:

Introduction
Types of solar thermal collector and how they work
Maintenance
System design considerations
Standards and certification
Conclusion
References

A4 4pp, 3 photos