Solar energy is the cleanest and most inexhaustible of all known energy sources. Solar radiation is the heat, light and other radiant energy that is emitted from the sun. The sun's energy, although plentiful, has been hard to directly harness until recently.

Solar water heater converts solar energy into thermal energy, then heat the water step by step. The beauty of this system is it does not create pollution or harmful emissions, and is extremely economical - the fuel (sunshine) is free! Plus, they are environmentally friendly. To take full advantage of these heaters, you should ideally have an unshaded, south-facing location (a roof, for example) on your property, although they can be utilised at ground level also.

This type of Solar water heater is now extremely popular in many areas of the world, are are now becoming much more popular in the UK, due to their high efficiency. Until now, solar panels were not particularly popular in the UK due to their low efficiencies during the spring, autumn and winter months.

Solar water vacuum tubes

The solar vacuum tubes are very efficient and if specified correctly can produce upto 80% of you hot water then your immersion or boiler will heat the rest.

The vacuum tubes are made with the latest technology in mind, no fluid passes through the tubes making it more efficient.

The copper conduction rod heats up to high temperatures and passes the generated heat up to the heat exchanger, the glycol (anti freeze) passes through the heat exchanger and then through a coil in the cylinder.

The heating method

As the glycol fluid passes through the heat exchanger it heats up and then circulates to the coil in the cylinder. The glycol fluid heats the coil and then the coil warms the water.

In the summer time it should heat the whole of the cylinder to high temperatures, even in the winter it will pre-heat the water ready for the back up heating.

The whole heating process is managed with a digital themostatic controller sensing the difference in temperatures and activating the pumps or secondary heating source.

The SFB panel is the best choice for the UK. The panel is considered to be one of the most cost-effective on the market, and performs extremely well in the UK climate. Its slimline design suits UK architecture, and in most cases, it should be considered 'permitted development' - meaning that you do not need to apply for planning permission if you wish to fit these panels to your roof. The SFB panel has a very low heat capacity, containing only 1 - 1.5litres of water inside the manifold. This allows the panel to heat up quickly when the sun starts to shine, and minimises heat losses at night.

Features:

High efficiency solar collector using heat pipe evacuated tubes
Can be used in all climates
Reliable and efficient with twin-wall glass solar tubes
Copper heat pipes for rapid heat transfer
Easy plug-in installation for mounting on the roof or at ground level
Maintenance free
Suitable for high pressure water (up to 8bar / 116psi)
Corrosion resistant silver brazed copper header
Frame material: 304 2B grade standard steel
Casing material: 304 BA or AB stainless steel
Excellent insulator in glass wool
Collectors may be connected in series to increase water heating capacity
Tubes easily replaced if broken - can be used with broken tubes
Ideal for commercial solar water heating applications
Expected Lifetime >25years
'Passive Solar Tracking' - maintains heat output regardless of sun's position in the sky