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Solar Thermal for Non-Residential Properties and Swimming Pools

As well as installing on domestic roofs, Spirit Solar Ltd can install solar thermal systems on commercial roofs, agricultural roofs, school roofs and sports centres, not to mention churches and community centres.

If you would like a quote on a commercial or large installation, please call the commercial sales line on 0118 951 4491 or email commercial@spiritsolar.co.uk

Why go for solar thermal technology?

It makes financial sense

• Under the government backed Renewable Heat Incentive, commercial projects (generally classed as systems less than 200kWth which do not power a residential property) can earn 8.5p per kWth of heat energy produced. The annual tariff income amount will be determined by an additional meter added at the time of install. Any commercial tariff income would be payable for 20 years.
• The return on investment for a solar thermal system can be more than 20% per year over the system's 20+ year lifespan.
• Any energy produced is used to displace hot water production by the original heat source. This will produce a significant saving on annual fuel bills. Typically, a small commercial solar thermal system will produce about 50% - 70% of the annual hot water demand, with large commercial systems producing between 25% - 40% of the annual hot water demand. Reducing the user's dependence on traditional fuel sources can help to insulate the business from rising fuel costs.
• Funding opportunities are available for some commercial projects. With the loan being repaid by the savings made on fuel bills. For more information on sources of funding, please contact us.

It contributes towards carbon savings targets

• Solar thermal systems are able to produce a significant proportion of the annual hot water demand for a property. This will displace carbon-producing fuels. Depending on the type of fuel being replaced, several tonnes of CO₂ emissions can be prevented. Even for a small sized commercial project between 2 tonnes (gas) and 5 tonnes (electricity) of carbon savings can be made each year. For larger properties replacing electrical water heating, the carbon savings could easily be in excess of 15 tonnes of CO₂ each year.

System Size, Position and Indicative Costs

Solar thermal systems can be installed on flat roofs, sloping roofs, vertical wall-brackets and even on ground-mounted 'A'- frames, if needed. The ideal location is south facing, although any orientation from east to west will produce a good financial return on investment. Some of our favoured solar thermal collectors can be installed on a property when the two roof faces are east and west orientated. If evacuated tubes are selected, they can be tilted to make the most of non-south-facing roofs. The panels should if possible be unshaded, although some minimal shading is acceptable.

Commercial systems usually start from 2 - 6 collectors (requiring a roof space of between 2m² and 12m² depending on technology type) and go up from there. A typical medium commercial system would be between 7 and 15 collectors (requiring a roof space of between 7m² and 30m²). A large system would be anything above this. The number of collectors and the project size aren't always directly proportional. It will depend on the percentage of daily demand being covered by the technology and what sort of system is being run. For example, solar thermal can be used to meet a higher proportion of swimming pool heating demand than a situation where a number of shower units are being used periodically. The percentage of demand covered by solar thermal will also depend on the water storage option selected and its capacity.

The most basic and affordable system that we would install costs around £5000 as a complete product and installation package. The upper bound of project costs is limited only by the level of hot water demand and the amount of productive roof space available.

We manage all aspects of your installation so that you don't have to...

We assist in all aspects of the installation, from the initial site survey and specification, through to design, liaison with structural engineers, installation and testing. We can also assist with grant / funding applications - as we have relationships with financing / grant organisations. We can also advise on how to apply for the Renewable Heat Incentive. We offer a comprehensive guarantee and maintenance package.

Our installation team have experience of designing mixed technology systems. If you are interested in combining solar thermal technology with solar PV or air source heat pumps, get in touch with our technical department or fill in our online quote form. You can also compare the different technologies we offer by clicking here.

Case Studies