Solar Panel Query

PeterCash

Hi Guys

I know there are a few posts relating to new builds etc but hopefully someone on here can give me a nudge in the right direction.

My wife and I are planning to self build in the very near future and we are very interested in using solar panels to contribute to our water heating needs.

My questions are:

1. Can solar panels be used in conjunction with underfloor heating?
2. And if so, can they be used alongside a boiler at the back of a conventional openfire/woodburner?
3. Does anyone have any recommendations of good plumbers to approach?

Thanks for your time!

Peter
:beer:

motorguy

PeterCash wrote: »

Hi Guys

I know there are a few posts relating to new builds etc but hopefully someone on here can give me a nudge in the right direction.

My wife and I are planning to self build in the very near future and we are very interested in using solar panels to contribute to our water heating needs.

My questions are:

1. Can solar panels be used in conjunction with underfloor heating?
2. And if so, can they be used alongside a boiler at the back of a conventional openfire/woodburner?
3. Does anyone have any recommendations of good plumbers to approach?

Thanks for your time!

Peter
:beer:

1. Yes - any 'spare' capacity can be fed into your underfloor heating.

2. In so much as I would imagine the open fire / wood burner would be heating a thermal store, then the solar panels would be heating the thermal store (water tank)

3. Yes - Heatwaves NI of Banbridge. Exceptionally good and very knowledgeable.

http://www.4ni.co.uk/98353x347x36_heatwaves-ni-banbridge.htm

solarpvman

PeterCash wrote: »

Hi Guys

My questions are:

1. Can solar panels be used in conjunction with underfloor heating?
2. And if so, can they be used alongside a boiler at the back of a conventional openfire/woodburner?
3. Does anyone have any recommendations of good plumbers to approach?

1. yes (probably) but think this through. You will probably generate most energy in the daytime in summer...ie when you don't want it for heating. Don't try and complicate it as you will run into unforeseen problems is my advice.

motorguy

solarpvman wrote: »

1. yes (probably) but think this through. You will probably generate most energy in the daytime in summer...ie when you don't want it for heating. Don't try and complicate it as you will run into unforeseen problems is my advice.

1. Yes (definitely) - we do exactly this.

RE: daytime and summertime only - not strictly true - from late April to september our solar is drawing down hot water into a 300 litre thermal store. At the moment with a max of 15 degrees air temp, we're seeing up to 60 degrees on the roof. This is used for hot water meaning our main heat source is rarely on. Any spare capacity will go into the heating of the house at some point.

solarpvman

Paul...I'm sure 'DAYTIME' *IS* true unless your panels work by moonlight :-)

motorguy

solarpvman wrote: »

Paul...I'm sure 'DAYTIME' *IS* true unless your panels work by moonlight :-)

Cant believe you dragged up a four month old thread just so you could make some pedantic point....

sill

motorguy wrote: »

Cant believe you dragged up a four month old thread just so you could make some pedantic point....

Quite right, original poster probably built house and moved in by now.Sill

gpduffy

has anyone got information or reviews on solar ni, they were calling me today but i know nothing about them?