The Basics

What does a domestic Solar Thermal system cost?

We conduct a free, no obligation, survey for all our customers. We operate a strict ‘no hard sell’ policy, and never bring a contract for you to sign on the spot. Our trained sales team have years of experience in design and installation of Solar systems, and take time to listen to you, answer your questions, discuss your needs and fully survey the property. We design your system around your requirements using the survey details and our design software. Only then do we send you your detailed no obligation quote.

We price our systems, fully installed, fully commissioned and include VAT. There are no hidden extras.

For a typical small domestic installation a 10 Tube Thermal system costs from just £1995.00*.

£600 off voucher now available

£600 off voucher funding towards the overall cost of the solar thermal installation is available from the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme. For details on how to apply for the voucher please follow this link to the Energy Savings Trust website - Renewable Heat Premium Payment – RHPP

How does a Solar Thermal system work?

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, sometimes called collectors, which are generally fitted to your roof. When sunlight, from either sunny conditions or during cloudy conditions, falls on the surface of a panel the solar energy from the sun heats a special formula liquid within the panels which is then pumped to your hot water cylinder and used to heat up your domestic hot water. Thermal panels are robust and durable and will operate effectively even in very cold conditions. Generally just one or two panels will suffice for most domestic installations.

How much hot water will the panels generate?

High quality solar panels will generally provide about 70 per cent of a household’s hot water needs, if sized correctly, well-installed and properly used. In summer the free solar hot water can rise to as much as 100% of household requirements, while in spring and autumn it is approx. 45% and even in winter the system can still generate 10-15% of requirements.

What is the likely saving on hot water costs?

The likely saving on average in our region will be greater than £200 each year per household just in hot water costs alone. The added financial benefits include less use/wear on your boiler as many customers turn their boilers off completely in the summer, a much more highly insulated hot water cylinder (if you choose to upgrade) which will help lower your fuel bill too. Also you will provide some protection for your household budget from the trend of increasing fuel prices.

The government has stated that fuel prices will rise significantly over the coming decade (Click Here to see the BBC Business News), with evidence of this over the last 2 to 3 years, and as these prices rise the benefit you gain from your own solar energy generated will rise too.

What is its long-term value?

Manufacturers of most Solar Thermal panels offer 10-20 year warranties on their panels and realistic life expectancies of high quality Solar Thermal flat plate panels are between 30-40+ years. Panels have no moving parts, are very durable and are self-cleaning, therefore the financial and environmental benefit over the lifetime of the system is very attractive.

What is involved in the installation?

Solar Thermal arrays are ideal for most roofs. A typical domestic installation would take between 1 – 2 days to complete and depending on safe access to the specified location may require the use of temporary scaffolding. For on-roof mounted systems (sitting above the roof tiles) rigid brackets are fixed into place under the roof tiles directly onto the rafters, then aluminium rails are secured to these brackets on which the panels are securely clamped. For in-roof mounted systems (flashed smoothly into the roof/tiles) the appropriate area of existing roof tiles is removed and the panels are fixed directly onto the rafters (or additional wooden bracing if required) and then a dedicated solar flashing kit is used to flash around the panels creating a continuous smooth plane between the panel and the main roof tiles. The solar pipe work is run via a pump station and control unit to the hot water cylinder of the property. The free solar hot water is pumped through the cylinder heating the household store of hot water. In most cases fixing solar panels to your roof is considered ‘permitted development’ under planning law with no need to apply for planning permission (Click Here for more detail in the FAQ’s).

 *Subject to property type, and free survey