Solar hot water panels are a great energy-saving device for your home, and can currently be purchased and installed for a very reasonable cost. Solar hot water systems harness the limitless energy from the sun and use it to heat your water tank, which is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to provide hot water to your home.

History

The history of solar water heating can be traced back as far as the 1800s, when people in the United States placed metal water tanks on their roof and painted them black to absorb as much sunlight as possible. From these primitive contraptions, solar hot water steadily developed over the years, with solar panels replacing roof-mounted tanks as the prefered heating device.

Solar water heating systems became particularly in demand at times of fuel shortages, such as the oil crisis in the 1970s. With concerns over climate change and dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, there is a sense that the world is now entering another such period of fuel scarcity, and so solar water heating is now considered a sensible and important solution for homeowners everywhere.

The UK government scheme has recently been introduced called the Renewable Heat Incentive, which began in April 2011. It is aimed at encouraging people to install environmentally friendly technologies such as solar water heating systems in their home, and homeowners who install systems now are expected to receive around £400 a year.

How Does it Work?

Solar water heating systems use roof-fitted solar panels which are known as collectors. These gather energy from the sun and use it to heat water, which then travels through the water tank in a coil of pipes (called the heat exchanger) and gives up its heat to the water stored in the tank. The (now cold) water which has passed through the heat exchanger is channelled back to the collector, which then heats the water to begin the process all over again. The system is kept running by an electric pump, which keeps the water flowing between the collector and the water tank.

Benefits

Sunlight is limitless and free, so once you\’ve purchased and installed a solar water heating system you won\’t have to worry about fuel costs, and your heating bill will be dramatically reduced. Modern solar hot water systems are affordably priced, at around £4-5000. With the savings you will make on heating bills and the money you receive from the government incentive scheme, it is very realistic to expect a full return on your investment within ten years.

Another big plus is that modern solar panels aren\’t restricted to hot climates, and they will work all year round, even on relatively moderate, overcast days. Solar hot water systems in Scotland or Northern England might not produce as much heat as those in Spain or California, but will still be surprisingly efficient at heating your water. In places with mild climates you\’ll still probably need a boiler or immersion heater as a back-up to your solar water system, but you should only really need it for the winter months.

In the broader picture, solar energy represents an important part of the battle against climate change. Solar hot water is a green, renewable heating system, and installing such a system will cause a real decrease in your annual carbon footprint.

Author Bio: If you\’d like to know more about solar water heating panels contact Viable Energy, the leading provider of solar water heating Scotland

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: solar water heating panels, solar water heating Scotland, solar water heating, solar power scotland