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Solar Thermal
The LaZer2 solar thermal system is c.4x more efficient at heating domestic hot water (DHW) than solar PV, and in the northern European climate, for which the LaZer2 has been specifically designed, you can expect the system to deliver c.70% of a building’s annual DHW demand.
The LaZer2 solar collector is one of the most efficient in the world. Installed in combination with existing boilers and thermostats, or with new heat pumps, it can make a well-designed solar-thermal system a realistic MEP asset.
Solar UK can offer everything from advice on the feasibility of you using solar thermal to achieve your DHW demands, through to the detailed specification of components and installation of the whole system.
The Energy Technology List (ETL) is a list created and updated monthly by the Government, which provides details of energy-saving products for businesses and the public sector. The world-leading Energy Technology List features over 8,000 energy efficient products to save your business energy and money. The LaZer2 solar thermal system developed and manufactured by Solar UK has been chosen to join this list
""We designed, and continue to manufacture, the LaZer2 solar thermal systems for the northern European climate, so that commercial and residential clients can benefit from this highly efficient technology. Our dedicated team of designers, installers, and engineers play a vital role in the success of the LaZer2 solar thermal system"
- Technical Director, Solar UK
Solar Thermal for Commercial Customers
Q: What links a city centre office building, a hospital, a university, a leisure centre, a care home, a hotel, a dairy farm, and a food processing plant?
A: They all use hot water, and they use a lot of it.
Heating water without using fossil fuels, remains a modern-day problem. Many architects, energy consultants, and business owners are looking at how they can decarbonise their hot water systems, be it for taps and showers, swimming pools, or as part of an industrial process.
Solar thermal technology has been around for years and is at the forefront of solving this issue.
When we design a solar thermal system, we take into consideration many factors:
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The expected consumption volume and usage patterns
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Any energy performance and/or CO² savings targets
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Whether the building can accommodate the equipment
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Any BMS functionality
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Any architectural & structural considerations at site
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The client’s budget
Solar Thermal for Residential Customers
A LaZer2 solar thermal system can deliver c.70% of your annual hot water demand in a typical residential property and is ideally suited to heating domestic swimming pools as well.
You will still need a secondary, back-up, heating system but from March through October, you will likely hardly use it. Even in the winter months when solar gain is at its lowest, the solar thermal will still provide some hot water, meaning that the back-up system starts at a higher base temperature as it takes it to the desired target, greatly reducing cost. For many people, that back-up can be an electric immersion heater, which itself can be linked to solar PV, offering a truly renewable solution.
RECC sets out high consumer protection standards for businesses who are selling solar PV or solar thermal systems to domestic consumers. RECC is approved by Chartered Trading Standards Institute as part of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme By displaying the RECC logo Solar UK have signalled they have agreed to abide by the high standards set out in the Consumer Code
General FAQs
Does solar thermal really work?
Yes it does; it’s a great technology. Solar thermal is capable of supplying you with around 70% of your annual hot water demand simply by harnessing the sun’s radiated energy. We need a small amount of electricity to power any pumps, but otherwise the energy used to generate the hot water, is FREE.
In tandem with some solar PV, which powers the pump and a back-up immersion heater you can achieve a truly renewable source of year-round hot water, which allows you to rid yourself of your fossil fuel boiler.
The system, when maintained properly, will have a life of 25+ years and it can be remotely monitored by us, using our RM-7512 monitoring system to ensure it always performs to specification. When designed, installed, and maintained properly, we think solar thermal is a fantastic technology.
Can solar thermal help me in my industrial process?
Yes it can. Solar thermal can provide water far in excess of 100c should it be needed and can easily provide a pre-heat for existing infrastructure, meaning that existing hot water plant need work for less time to achieve the desired outcomes, extending its economic working life and reducing service intervals.
How does a solar thermal system work?
A solar thermal system uses solar panels (collectors) to absorb sunlight. These collectors transfer the absorbed heat to a fluid, which is circulated through pipes to a heat exchanger. The heat is then used to warm water or air for various applications such as domestic hot water, space heating, and swimming pools.
Is the LaZer2 collector a flat plate or evacuated tubes?
The LaZer 2 collector uses evacuated tube technology and consists of nine tubes per collector, with each collector covering 1m2. We strongly advocate for vacuum tubes over flat plates, especially in colder climates, because of their greater efficiency.
What are the benefits of solar thermal energy over fossil fuel alternatives?
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Renewable and sustainable: Solar thermal energy relies on the sun, a truly renewable resource.
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Cost savings: The running cost of a solar thermal system is minimal and it can reduce your hot water bills significantly over time.
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Environmentally friendly: Solar thermal systems produce zero emissions during operation.
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Low maintenance: These systems require minimal upkeep once installed.
What is the difference between solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems?
Solar thermal systems convert sunlight into heat for heating water or air, whereas solar photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electricity. PV is typically used for electricity generation, while solar thermal is used for heating hot water.
How efficient are solar thermal systems?
Dedicated solar thermal collectors, such as our market-leading LaZer2, are 3.5 to 4 times more efficient at producing hot water than a system using solar PV. Our LaZer2 systems are highly efficient and return efficiencies in the range of 60% to 70%.
What are the costs associated with installing a solar thermal system?
No two projects are the same. These systems are designed for a specific site each time and whilst the components are often standard, the number of collectors, the storage capacity, the desired output temperature, and the size of the pump, will vary and so it is impossible to give a precise estimate here. However, please contact us at any time for a no obligation chat about your specific needs and we will be pleased to provide an indicative cost.
How much space is required for a solar thermal system?
Again, this varies depending on your requirements; the more hot water you need, the larger the area of collectors and storage required.
What maintenance is required for solar thermal systems?
Solar thermal systems generally require little maintenance. The Solar UK Service & Maintenance team will work out a service schedule with you, and we can also include our remote monitoring system, RM-7512, which will allow us to keep an eye on your system’s performance for you.
Can solar thermal systems work in cold climates?
Yes, solar thermal systems can work in cold climates; the LaZer 2 collector was specifically designed for northern European climates. It may sound obvious, but performance will depend on the amount of sunlight received on any given day; a bright January day will produce heated water.
How long does a solar thermal system last?
Solar thermal systems typically last 20 to 30 years with proper maintenance. The collectors and panels usually have long lifespans, and the only components that may need occasional replacement are the storage tanks or heat exchangers.
What is the payback period for a solar thermal system?
As with the initial cost, the payback period will vary from one project to the next. The more hot water you use, the more you will save, the quicker the payback.
Can solar thermal systems provide all of my hot water needs?
In theory, yes. However, to achieve that, the system would need to be somewhat oversized, which adds initial cost, and some likely performance issues during the hot summer months. We aim to design a system that will produce around 70% of your annual hot water requirements, and so you should always maintain some form of back-up, which is often a simple immersion heater, which can be powered by solar PV.
Can solar thermal systems be used for space heating?
Yes, solar thermal systems can also be used for space heating, either by heating air directly or by using radiant floor heating systems. This can be especially useful in homes or buildings that need both hot water and heating.