Solar Water Heating at the Centre

In September 2005, a modern solar water heating system was installed at Sustainability Centre near East Meon in Hampshire.

The collectors are mounted on the roof of the Visitor Centre but are invisible from ground level

The system consists of four flat plate collectors mounted on frames on the roof of the Visitor Centre.  The panels are designed to work in conjunction with the biomass (wood-chip) boiler which provides heating and hot water for the Visitor Centre and the Wetherdown Hostel. This is an ideal combination, with the boiler providing hot water (and heating) to the Centre during the heating season, and the solar panels providing hot water when the boiler is off during the summer months.

The panels provide all the hot water for the Visitor Centre for hand-washing, kitchens and showers.

Technical

• There are 4 Filsol FS20 flat plate panels each with a surface area of 2 square metres
• The system, which was supplied & installed by Southern Solar Ltd., Sussex, cost 6,000 pounds and was funded by a grant from the POWERGEN GreenPlan Fund
• Estimated annual yield is 3,272kWh, enough for 3 households

The DTI launched its Low Carbon Buildings Program in April 2006. This can provide a grant of up to 400 pounds (maximum of 30% of total cost) towards the costs of purchasing a solar water heating system for your home. A scheme for larger projects will be launched in June 2006.