You ll need to bear in mind the cost of maintenance although it s generally very low for solar water heating systems.
Cost of solar water heating panels.
The cost of installing a typical solar water heating system is 4 000 5 000 including vat at 5 per cent for 3 6m 2 system.
This is a government scheme to reward homeowners using low carbon heating systems.
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors.
They can be used in any climate and the fuel they use sunshine is free.
Active solar water heaters cost 2 000 to 4 000.
Solar water heaters also called solar domestic hot water systems can be a cost effective way to generate hot water for your home.
They require solar collectors and a heat storage area.
The table below shows average annual earnings that a solar water heating owner can expect.
Since the storage area can hold much more heat and is equipped with an internal electric or gas backup the possibility of running out of hot water after several cloudy days is nonexistent.
Active solar heater systems.
Currently the tariff for solar thermal panels is 21 36 p kwh.
The solar fraction is the portion of the total conventional hot water heating load delivered energy and tank standby losses.
The higher the solar fraction the greater the solar contribution to water heating which reduces the energy required by the backup water heater.
For example a replacement pump costs around 90 to replace while new anti freeze costs around 100.
Solar water heating is cost effective particularly if you make use of the renewable heat incentive.