Solar PanelsSolar Panels

Outline of presentationOutline of presentation► Solar panel technology.Solar panel technology.► Solar thermal in Solar thermal in

domestic dwellings.domestic dwellings.► Solar panel orientation.Solar panel orientation.► System types.System types.► Installation & cost of the Installation & cost of the

panels.panels.► Benefits of the systems.Benefits of the systems.► Drawbacks of the Drawbacks of the

systemssystems..

Solar Panel TechnologySolar Panel Technology

► Energy from the sun-1kW/mEnergy from the sun-1kW/m²²..

► Converts solar energy into heat & electricity.Converts solar energy into heat & electricity.

► Provides energy for water & space heating.Provides energy for water & space heating.

► Relies on sunlight rather than warmth.Relies on sunlight rather than warmth.

► Used in both residential & commercial Used in both residential & commercial buildings. buildings.

OrientationOrientation

► 2 angles to consider- the 2 angles to consider- the horizontal orientation and horizontal orientation and the angle of tilt.the angle of tilt.

► The ideal horizontal The ideal horizontal orientation is South. orientation is South.

► The ideal angle of tilt is The ideal angle of tilt is approximately 45approximately 45°.°.

► Consideration of shading Consideration of shading needed.needed.

Flat plate collectorsFlat plate collectors

► Most common type. Most common type. ► Glazed & insulated box.Glazed & insulated box.► Temp range 30-70Temp range 30-70° C.° C.► Cheaper to install.Cheaper to install.► Low collection Low collection

efficiency.efficiency.► Increased panel area Increased panel area

required.required.► Less efficient in winter.Less efficient in winter.► More suited to southern More suited to southern

climates.climates.

Evacuated tube collectorsEvacuated tube collectors

► More efficient More efficient system.system.

► Temp range 30-Temp range 30-150150°C°C..

► Lightweight.Lightweight.► Better performance Better performance

in sub-optimal in sub-optimal conditions.conditions.

► Better performance Better performance off-peak.off-peak.

Sizing & InstallationSizing & Installation

► The panels will take up approx. 2-4mThe panels will take up approx. 2-4m²² of roof of roof area.area.

► Exempt from planning permission-conditional.Exempt from planning permission-conditional.► For evacuated tube system 20 - 60 tubes are For evacuated tube system 20 - 60 tubes are

necessary.necessary.► Consideration must be given to the storage Consideration must be given to the storage

capacity of the cylinder.capacity of the cylinder.► 50 litres used per person per day and tanks 50 litres used per person per day and tanks

range from 150-300 litres in size.range from 150-300 litres in size.► Use a stainless steel cylinder.Use a stainless steel cylinder.► Will heat water to up 80 degrees.Will heat water to up 80 degrees.

CostCost

►€€4500-4500-€€6000 approximate cost of 6000 approximate cost of installation.installation.

►Greener homes grant available.Greener homes grant available.►€€250 per m250 per m²-flat plate collector.²-flat plate collector.►€€300 per m²-evacuated tube collector.300 per m²-evacuated tube collector.►To a maximum of 6m². To a maximum of 6m². ►Payback?Payback?

Environmental Benefits Environmental Benefits

► A renewable energy source.A renewable energy source.

► Solar panels are non-polluting.Solar panels are non-polluting. ► Solar energy requires no fuel. Solar energy requires no fuel. ► Silent operation- no noise pollution.Silent operation- no noise pollution. ► Reduced carbon emissions.Reduced carbon emissions.

The DrawbacksThe Drawbacks

►Lifespan of only 25 years.Lifespan of only 25 years.►Expensive to install.Expensive to install.►Auxiliary back up required.Auxiliary back up required.► Inefficient in Irish climate.Inefficient in Irish climate.►Site suitability.Site suitability.►Energy required to produce the panel.Energy required to produce the panel.►An uneconomical decision to use solar An uneconomical decision to use solar

panels for domestic dwellings.panels for domestic dwellings.

MethodMethod RatingRating € € - cost- cost PaybackPayback Savings Savings Disruption Disruption

Cavity wall insulation to Cavity wall insulation to external wallsexternal walls

********** €€440440 33 €€145 145 MinorMinor

Increasing insulation in Increasing insulation in loft loft

******** €€325325 55 €€6060 MinorMinor

Replace heating system Replace heating system including pipe work including pipe work

****** €€71407140 3131 €€230230 MinorMinor

Install condensing boiler Install condensing boiler to replace existing to replace existing

boiler boiler

****** €€17201720 1818 €€95 95 MinorMinor

Install solar panelsInstall solar panels **** €€40004000 4040 €€100100 MinorMinor

Summary of energy saving Summary of energy saving methodsmethods

SummarySummary

►Solar energy is free.Solar energy is free.►Environmentally friendly solution.Environmentally friendly solution.►Better suited to water heating.Better suited to water heating.►Evacuated Tube system is more efficient.Evacuated Tube system is more efficient.►Government grant assistance available.Government grant assistance available.►Perhaps the least cost effective energy Perhaps the least cost effective energy

saving method.saving method.