Pulsar Renewables shines a light on solar technology
Pulsar Renewables shines a light on solar technology
Timmy Mullins, Marketing Manager of Pulsar Renewables, one of the largest wholesale suppliers of renewable energy systems and equipment in the UK and Ireland, talks to PHAM News about the fast-evolving world of solar technology.
Increased demand for energy efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions provide a major opportunity for growth in the plumbing and heating sector. Renewable energy is fast becoming the most relevant technology today, with solar power set to become the favoured form of renewable energy thanks to its cost-efficiency, ease of installation and an increasing range of government incentives.
The 'photovoltaic effect' is the process by which light energy is converted to electrical energy – it uses direct and indirect daylight to create electricity from free year-round solar radiation. Photovoltaic (PV) systems use PV modules or collectors to harness the sun's radiation. The PV modules comprise a number of solar cells, made up mainly of a semi-conductor, where the photovoltaic effect actually takes place. There are three main types of PV modules – monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous silicone – and each type varies in its application and efficiency.
PV systems are usually categorised as ‘grid-connected’ or ‘off-grid’. Off-grid systems are usually installed in areas where main grid-connection is difficult, expensive or impossible. They usually incorporate battery storage systems and must be carefully sized to cater for the relevant electricity demands.
Grid-connected systems are installed in parallel with the main electricity supply. They can range from small domestic supplementary systems (usually 1-3.5kw) to large-scale PV installations called arrays (up to several MW). Grid-connected systems require the installation of inverters to convert the DC electricity generated by the modules to grid-compatible AC electricity.
Solar thermal technology refers specifically to the direct or indirect heat transfer of solar radiation to domestic hot water or space heating water. This water is usually stored at times of high solar gain for use throughout the day and at times of low solar gain. A solar thermal domestic hot water or space heating system can be designed to suit any requirements or budget – although solar energy itself is, of course, free.
The most common application of a solar thermal system is the heating of domestic hot water. An array of solar collectors is installed onto a new or existing building and the solar collectors heat the building’s domestic hot water. This is heated either directly or indirectly via a coil, which is integrated into the domestic hot water cylinder. Costs and carbon emissions are cut by reducing the amount of work that the primary energy source – usually a gas or oil boiler – has to do. This application can also be retro-fitted into a project, so it is very convenient. The existing domestic hot water cylinder is replaced with a dual coil cylinder, the solar array and controls are installed and homeowners can then reap the renewable rewards!
Some practical considerations must be made regarding the control of the system. The hours of solar gain will vary throughout the year but the domestic hot water requirements remain relatively constant. It is therefore advisable to keep these considerations in mind when programming controls for the secondary energy source – the boiler. For example, a domestic hot water cylinder that has been completely replenished by a gas or oil boiler early in the morning will not be in a position to benefit from solar gain throughout the day. The percentage of domestic hot water heated will always depend on the number of collectors installed, the building’s average water consumption and several other factors, but with a well-designed and high quality system, significant savings are guaranteed.
To help the Government meet its target that 15% of the UK’s energy is to be generated by renewables by 2020, it has introduced a number of incentives such as Feed-In Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). These are designed to make the installation and investment of solar and other renewable technologies more financially viable, encouraging homeowners to buy into renewable energy. For instance, the RHI, a £860million government scheme, is expected to increase ‘green’ capital investment by £4.5billion, stimulating a new market in renewable heat. These new financial incentives should also encourage the installation of equipment like renewable heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels, all of which will help to reduce emissions and increase the UK’s renewable energy industry.
For any installation to qualify for the benefits of the Feed-in Tariff or RHI, the installer must be Microgeneration Certication Scheme (MCS) certified for the installation of photovoltaic systems. The MCS has been developed to provide consumers with an assurance that microgeneration products and installation companies meet a robust set of standards
It is estimated that by 2020 the renewable heat sector will have grown to include around 110,000 installations in the commercial and public sectors, supplying 25% of the heat demand in these sectors, as well as 25,000 installations in private households. Now is the perfect time for installers to get to grips with solar technology and sort out the relevant accreditations, ensuring that they are perfectly placed to benefit from the flourishing renewable energy industry.
About Pulsar Renewables:
Pulsar Renewables is one of the largest wholesale suppliers of renewableenergy systemsand equipment in the UK and Ireland.The company stocks a vast range of energy efficient plumbing and heating equipment, including solar thermal energy systems; solar PV systems; heat recovery units; high efficiency boilers; geothermal heat pumps; instantaneous water heaters; and rainwater harvesting units.
The Pulsar Renewables portfolio offers the trade a choice of proven renewable technologies at competitive prices from world renowned energy saving brands including Wolf, Avenir Energie, Steca, Delta, Orkli, Waterway and RBM.
Pulsar Renewables is part of professional plumbing and heating wholesale distributor Pulsar direct. For more information, visit www.pulsardirect.co.ukor call free on 0800 2988 701.
