Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications have been publiched by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Energy Trends covers statistics on energy production and consumption, in total and by fuel, and provides an analysis of the year on year changes. Quarterly Energy Prices covers prices to domestic and industrial consumers, prices of oil products and comparisons of international fuel prices.
Download the complete set of tables and information below:
Note that the last opportunity for Surface Power installer training in Ireland is currently closing and nearly full. Only a handful of installers are trained to install Surface Power systems each year.
Trained installers get access to Solar Central heating projects, Commercial solar projects and can access our customer networks in their areas.
The only training dates are 4th, 11th and 18th October. Location:Midlands (its a first come first served and only a few places are remaining), no more access will be available until 2012.
Areas where our customers need extra capacity are Dublin, Cork, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Louth, Monaghan, Wexford, S. Tipperary, Carlow, Clare, Kerry and Waterford.
We provide our trained network access to marketing campaigns, FREE design and support services.
We teach you how our technology works all year round. How to do solar central heating systems and get “design approval” from us. This is FREE and part of our quality control process which protects customers and ensures they get the best service along with the best product.
You also get a 10 year warranty with training and can also access suub contract installation work in the UK under the new RHI (renewable heat incentive)
Training is effectively FREE when you buy our systems; there is a €200 cost which is returned as a credit note which you can use against the purchase of our systems.
Email the distributor coordinator at sales@nationalsolar.eu with your details and someone will contact you with information.
It will probably surprise many people to find out that there are different generations of Solar Vacuum Hot Water Systems and ALL are still being sold today. You may have just bought one but which generation is it ?
This is why you see HUGE differences between performance of solar vacuum systems and why there is so much confusion. We have many requests from people who have just bought Solar Vacuum systems and they can’t understand how our customers systems are producing so much more energy than them.
THIS POST WILL EXPLAIN THE MAIN DIFFERENCES…
NOTE: This is the first time you have probably heard anything about the different generations of Solar Vacuum Technology anywhere.
FIRST Generation Solar Vacuum Systems, (about 35 years old), still being sold on the market, always compared to flat plates due to their low performance.
How to recognise one ?, simple, it has a single wall (not double skinned vacuum) clear glass tube and a strip of absorber inside.
Fig: First Generation Solar Vacuum System – (approx 35 years old)
Whilst they are still available to buy in very well known BRAND NAMES, they are quite old at this stage. How did they come about. Simple, a bright Engineer about 35 years ago looked at flat plates in sunny climates and made an assumption that if he put the strips of a flat plate absorber into glass tubes, he would improve on the output of flat plate collectors in cloudy climates. Here is a picture of a flat plate solar collector with its covers off.
He simply decided to split the absorber and put it in glass tubes. A new version of this has a direct flow pipe instead of a heat-pipe. THIS IS FIRST GENERATION SOLAR VACUUM HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY.
NEXT….
SECONDGeneration Solar Vacuum System’s, (about 25 years old), still being sold on the market, noted for their lack of performance in poor weather and over-heating problems in sunshine. THIS IS THE MAJORITY OF SOLAR VACUUM SYSTEMS BEING SOLD ON THE MARKET TODAY AS THE COLLECTORS CAN BE SHIPPED BROKEN UP IN LONG BOXES.
You will always hear about sizing to only do 90% of your hot water in case of overheating (of course this makes it poor performing in winter), the adding of dump radiators, etc. with this technology. Here is a picture of this type of solar heat-pipe. There is a condensing heat-pipe running into a twin walled vacuum tube with a sealing cap to hold in the heat. The tube always carries a selective coating so it looks black on the outside. The heat pipe then plugs into the manifold and heats up the manifold. When the manifold gets heated, it transfers the heat to the water passing through. This process is fairly inefficient.
Fig: Second Generation Solar Vacuum System – (approx 25 years old)
THIS IS SECOND GENERATION SOLAR VACUUM HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY.
NEXT…..
THIRD Generation Solar Vacuum Systems, (about 8 years old), still being sold on the market BUT only a few suppliers make this generation of system, it is noted for more stable performance than Heat Pipes and has reduced the overheating issues on really hot days. It is more expensive to produce and unless it is shipped in one piece, it has to have rubber seals and run at low pressure. THIS IS TYPICALLY CALLED A U-TUBE OR DIRECT FLOW COLLECTOR.
Here is what it looks like:
You can see that the circulating water runs into the glass tube via copper pipes unlike any of the 1st and 2nd generations where the water only runs in the manifold. The tubes are twin walled and have a selective coating and appear black on the outside.
ONE MAJOR DRAWBACK (and it is a biggie): If this type of collector comes as a kit (and not in one piece out of the box) and has to be assembled at the installation site, then it will cost a significant amount of money to change a tube. The system will need to be drained down, tube changed and then refilled, this is in effect a FULL SERVICE every time you want to change a tube. Typically the new tube will come with all the pipework so can be over £120 a tube ON TOP of the full service cost.
If the collector is one piece and can’t be broken down, then this does not apply, the changing of a glass tube takes seconds, like changing a light bulb and is a few quid at most. THIS IS THIRD GENERATION SOLAR VACUUM HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY.
NEXT….
FOURTH Generation Solar Vacuum Sytems, (about 4 years old), this is proprietary technology to Surface Power. It involves a system wide science called TDLF (thermodynamic laminar flow technology) coupled with MPPTt, (Maximum Power Point Tracking – thermal). Several patents cover this technology which has been developed to create high powered solar air conditioning and solar central heating systems.
The key thing to notice is the different power band, (kWhrs produced) that is the difference in temperature between the collectors and the cylinder/pool/heating system, etc. Normal solar systems go from +3C to +7C and switch on and off all day. Surface Power systems do not work like this, they operate a DELTA T of between +10C and +25C bringing much larger amounts of power in any given day; and can stay running ALL DAY. Even at a DELTA T of +15C, it is still cloudy and many times higher than the average of any of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation solar vacuum technology’s.
Here is a Surface Power SP501 solar collector, (we only have the one type, size, shape, tube quantity), why have more than 1 type of solar collector ?, you can’t improve on perfection…
THIS IS FOURTH GENERATION SOLAR VACUUM HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY AND ONLY AVAILABLE FROM SURFACE POWER.
Flat Plate solar hot water collector use is collapsing globally in favour of Vacuum type collectors.
All you have to do is look at the latest statistics produced by the IEA and ESTIF in Brussels.
The stats from 2009 (stats are always approx 2 years behind) show a collapse in the use of Flat Plate collectors in NEW Solar Hot Water installations. In 2009, newly installed solar hot water systems were 78.3% using evacuated tube type technologies and only 17.3% were flat plate technologies.
Customers, Installers, Distributors and Projects are all moving away from Flat Plate collectors in their droves.
The UK and Ireland are set for a short Indian Summer next week for the END OF SEPTEMBER with the UK weather services predicting record temperatures could be set. The current high for this time of year of 27.5C was set in 1985.
HOWEVER; EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER HAS BEEN POOR this year; YOU STILL SHOULD HAVE NO BOILER ON IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING 2 THINGS DONE TO YOUR HOME.
1/ UPGRADED YOUR INSULATION, The weather has not been great as of late but it has not been cold enough for well insulated homes to require heating. If you have had your heating on, then you should take a look at your insulation.
2/ IF YOU HAVE AN ALL YEAR SURFACE POWER SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM, you wouldn’t need your boiler either; even though the weather has been pretty terrible. All your hot water should be coming from daylight regardless of the weather.
Have a look at our customers today Sat 24th Sept !!, record temperatures even though our weather has been cloudy with showers.
IRELAND: Cylinder temperatures in excess of 81C, (these are temperatures our competitors would be happy to achieve on the hottest summers day in July.)
UK: Cylinder temperatures in excess of 65C on a NORTH FACING SYSTEM, (these are temperatures our competitors would be happy to achieve on the hottest summers day in July ON A SOUTH FACING SYSTEM.)
We now require more installers who can install our Solar Central Heating & Hot Water Systems.
Our systems are quick to install, but state of the art in terms of the latest solar technology.
Our installers install more systems in Winter than in Summer and we are to looking to expand our certified installer list due to increased demand as people want to cut their heating bills by 50% – 80% with the large 40% increase due in heating bills this year over last year. (these savings are what our solar central heating & hot water systems typically do currently) and we are installing and designing them for regular houses since 2003. (NOTE: you cannot take on a central heating customer unless we approve the design to at least achieve a target 50% reduction in their oil/gas bill and the customer can talk to us to confirm design approval)
Please note that while training is available, there is no guarantee of being approved by us to install this type of central heating system. Only competent trades should apply. Training is FREE for Installers who carry out installations.
Contact our national distribution hub at sales@nationalsolar.eu with your details and you will be contacted regarding training course information (for experienced solar installers, 6 hours). Limited places only. (Courses, SEPT, NOV, DEC booking now, sorry, only a few places on these courses, first come, first served)
All solar central heating & hot water systems are online and SMART GRID enabled by default, (a broadband connection is required on the customer location). Our engineers install the SMART grid online system FREE, you just need to install the solar system, we are busy, contact us now if you are in the trade. Many installers of other old style flat plates and vacuum systems heat pipe systems are sailing through our training courses ….
In Autumn, given that today was a dreary cloudy day, a Surface Power solar hot water OR central heating system can do temperatures, others dream about in the middle of a fine summer……
Surface Power’s advanced solar systems protect your investment, we watch your systems, fix them without your knowledge, and optimise them to make more hot water while you are busy doing other things. Don’t worry, It’s all free….. we do it because we can !!!!!
While you sleep, work and play, your solar hot water system is in our hands……….
TODAYS weather, high winds, cloud, rain, what’s new……….SEE BELOW, SOLAR LIVE ONLINE
WHAT WAS TODAY LIKE !…….IF YOU HAD AN ALL YEAR SOLAR SYSTEM OR A SOLAR CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEM FROM SURFACE POWER, YOU SHOULD BE STILL GETTING YOUR 40C REQUIRED FOR SHOWER/BATH WATER FREE, YOUR BOILER SHOULD STILL BE COVERED IN DUST FROM MONTHS AGO AND YOUR ENERGY SHOULD BE “FREE, FREE, FREE”.
HAVE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS SYSTEMS TODAY…..
Surface Power solar “central heating and hot water” system….. Cylinder 60C ALL FREE DAYLIGHT ENERGY !!!! System Model: SP501-HEAT-1 (100% of hot water needs delivered)
Surface Power solar ” hot water” system…..Cylinder 47 C ALL FREE DAYLIGHT ENERGY!!!! Model: SP501-PRO (100% of hot water needs delivered)NORTH FACING (madness !!!)Surface Power “hot water” system…..Cylinder 57 C ALL FREE ENERGY !!!! Model: SP501 PRO-N (100% of hot water needs delivered)
Surface Power ”Swimming Pool” system…..Pool @ 29.8C ALL FREE ENERGY !!!! 100% solar heating the pool at 5PM in Autumn…..
If you want Solar Hot Water, then why not choose us, not because we are the best (we do have the highest system certification in the world since 2009 at 783 kWhrs/m2 however), BUT you should choose us because we are the only ones willing to PROVE it to you… !!!
You can buy DIRECT ………..www.nationalsolar.eu
You can INSTALL OUR SYSTEMS………….
OR You can use one of our certified installers………….
CARLTON HOTEL GALWAY CITY, CARLTON SHEARWATER HOTEL & C SPA BALLINASLOE, CARLTON ATLANTIC COAST HOTEL & C SPA WESTPORT, CARLTON CASTLETROY PARK HOTEL LIMERICK
Galway – Ballinasloe – Westport – Limerick. Carlton Hotels and Carlton C Spa Hotels.
*Limited Availability*
Reward Yourself Special Offer
How does two nights for two in any one of the ten Carlton Hotels or Spa Hotels sound? Can you feel invigorated and refreshed just thinking about it? Can you taste the fine dining experience?
Offer includes
Two nights B&B for two, evening meal for two on one night, €50 hotel voucher valid in all of the Carlton Hotels for you to do what you please. Redeem it against spa treatments, food, or give it to some-one for Christmas, it’s up to you.
A bundle of 2 night breaks for two has been purchased to reward shoppers for their intelligent & energy savvy decision to purchase a Surface Power SP501 system.*
The deal is available on a first come first served basis. Not available with any other offer or promotion. Not redeemable for cash. Subject to one offer per system installed and is available on Sp501 Solar Compact system and larger configurations. Bookings are subject to hotel accommodation availability.
To avail of this offer please e-mail surface power with your name, phone # & location.
Hurry, limited offer. For a FREE SURVEY, just fill your details below.
Summary of the new study on Solar thermal performance for UK RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive, like a Solar Feed In Tarrif BUT for solar hot water)
Licence: This report is copyright and licensed by ACME Energy. This summary is taken from the main report and is licensed and approved for free distribution. The full report is available.
The study set out to compare 3 types of solar hot water system technology on the UK market in advance of the RHI(Renewable Heat Incentive)
1/ Solar Vacuum TDLF & MPPTt (Thermo Dynamic Laminar Flow with Maximum Power Point Tracking- thermal). This is called next generation solar hot water technology and is System 1 in the report.
2/ Standard Solar Vacuum (This is the standard solar vacuum systems we see in the market) and is System 2 in the report.
3/ Standard Solar Flat plate (This is the standard solar flat plate systems we see in the market) and is System 3 in the report.
THE RESULTS: ( only the highest 2 result outcomes have been included )
System 1
System 2
Stated output
783 kWhrs (m2/yr)
660 kWhrs (m2/yr)
System type
TDLF & MPPTt
Standard Vacuum
Total Energy Produced
3,982 kWhrs
1,229 kWhrs
Total Immersion usage
0 (zero days)
162 days (324 kWhrs elec)
Total days below 40C
59 days
114 days
August 2010
12.35 kWhrs per day
3.64 kWhrs per day
January 2011
3.29 kWhrs per day
1.48 kWhrs per day
August 2011
8.74 kWhrs per day
2.74 kWhrs per day
RHI Financial Benefit
£537.57
£165.90
Payback Expected
Less than 5 years
Less than 15 years
SAMPLE OF THE FINDINGS (quotes from the report)
System 1 outperformed System 2 by a significant amount. This cannot be explained away by tolerances or variations. There is a clear performance advantage of multiple increments in delivered performance output from System 1
In the study, this energy advantage amounted to an additional generation capacity of 3.12 times the kWhrs from System 1 versus System 2.
Also worth noting; if you add up the 6 winter months of System 1 ONLY, then System 1’s TOTAL winter energy yield of 998 kWhrs/m2/yr was greater than the TOTAL annual energy yield of System 2 at 938 kWhrs/m2/yr.
Data from the report published under licence and with permission.
The single largest solar hot water distribution supply system has been launched this week to service the European Union.
Ireland is the first country to go live and several other EU members will go live over the next number of weeks.
Winter is always the busiest time for Surface Power who hostorically sell more systems in Winter than in Summer. This is primarally due to the fact that the systems perform all year round.
Product packages, Pricing and full details now all online. CLICK HERE
