The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Renewables => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on October 20, 2013, 09:33:03 pm

Title: solar thermal DIY
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 20, 2013, 09:33:03 pm

has anyone installed a thermal solar system themselves - combining it with other existing water heating systems? :&>

Title: Re: solar thermal DIY
Post by: mab on October 21, 2013, 06:10:35 pm

technically yes, but it was a home-made panel, a simple Parkray/hot water cylinder system and I simply used manual valves to switch between the solar and parkray heat sources. I'm guessing you want a more permanent/automated system?

Title: Re: solar thermal DIY
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 21, 2013, 06:44:02 pm

I've just seen the systems they use in Nepal but they are only suitable for flat roofs and are solar only. Automated switch or thermostat is the general idea at the mo. On the other hand we only switch the oil on if we need to heat either the radiators or the water, manual may be an option after all. :&>