What is Solar Thermodynamics? We look at how this will fit into the Green Deal.

 

Hello my name is Barry Nutley and I am a partner in Viridis Energie  an Independent energy consultancy, we offer independent advice on how to employ renewable technologies for your home or business. Every home and business has different needs so we come and inspect buildings individually and make assessments based on real information that you can then be used to make informed decisions with.

Ciaran, from Green Deal Initiative, asked me to explain a little about ‘Solar Thermodynamics’ which is a relatively new technology within the renewables sector. Solar Thermodynamics is certainly very interesting!

Fundamentally, it’s a combination of a heat pump, and solar thermal system, so you get the benefits of both – i.e. It doesn’t just rely on Sun, so you get hot water all day every day, but you get the benefit of solar gain, which increases the coefficient of performance so makes it better than a heat pump.

It can be used just for daily hot water, or as a complete heating system (or pre heat if house is not suitable for low temp water). It can also be adapted for swimming pools and larger commercial buildings. As it has Solar Key mark it qualifies for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and RHPP payments, and as it is classed as solar thermal, it makes the commercial RHI payment very attractive, especially if used as a complete heating system.

In my view, there would now seem little point in installing solar thermal or an Air Source Heat Pump. Indeed, I would question the viability of a Ground Source Heat Pump. However, we do need to see how the domestic RHI affects it.

As for costs – As you know, costs currently being quoted for solar thermal vary, I’ve recently had a client that was quoted £7k for a single panel Solar Thermal system! But, If you assume that a typical 2 panel Solar Thermal system would cost around £4k- £4.5k to install, a single panel Thermodynamic system would deliver 100% of hot water requirements would cost around £5.5k – £6k.

For space heating, a “typical” home would require 4 Thermo panels. Cost would be between an Air Source Heat Pump and a Ground Source Heat Pump. So again, it provides better value. There is further information in a piece I wrote on my website that you can read here. Personally, I think this is a great product. It wouldn’t surprise me if this takes off in the same way as Solar Photovoltaic has taken off.

If you or your readers have any other questions etc. then please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Barry.

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