CASE STUDIES - Hot Solar Water

17Mar

British Embassy – FCO Estate Brasilia Commercial Solar Water Heating

As a forward looking and outward-facing Government department, the FCO, Foreign and Commonwealth Office strives to walk the talk of its climate diplomacy around the world. To underpin this, Future Perfect is an ambitious long-term plan to convert the fleet to lower emission vehicles, extending the use of commercial solar water heating to better manage energy consumption globally; enabling the FCO to operate a sustainable, low carbon and cost effective overseas estate platform. (x10) Buildings on the FCO Brasilia Estate have had commercial solar water heating systems installed, generating the majority of the buildings hot water requirements. The LSP20+ Premium Commercial Solar Panel was chosen across the estate. The panel configuration was 4 x 2m² vertical solar collectors. These were heating our New, Unique High Powered Super Coils, on stratification solar tanks which can reach a maximum temperature of 95°.

Manufactured from special treated steel S235JR with corrosion protection according to DIN 4753 Internal high power Twin Solar heat exchanging system for maximum performance Internal stratification system with plate x and curved pipe inlay for high performance Optimum usage of the solar system through unique heat exchanger technic Universal application: scales well for all sizes and demands of hot water systems Internal high power Twin Solar Water Heater exchanging system for maximum performance Variable sensor positioning for perfect flow efficiency

In order to address the threat from climate change, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made tackling the global threat of Climate Change, and taking a global leadership role, part of its Foreign Policy Priorities. The FCO is determined that all aspects of its operations at home and overseas should be managed sustainably. It is working to ensure that environmental considerations are at the heart of the way the FCO is run. Not only is this necessary to provide support and credibility to the policy goal of promoting a low carbon, high growth global economy, but it is also essential if they are to meet their legal obligations and wider government targets on the sustainability of the government estate. The UK Government are therefore committed to continual improvement in their environmental performance, protecting the environment, preventing pollution and minimising to the extent reasonably practicable adverse environmental impacts.

By HarryCASE STUDIESComments Off

25Feb

DHL London Gateway – Commercial Solar Water Heater System

DHL Supply Chain has its own purpose-built depot, ‘London Thames Gateway’, a newly designed world-class distribution centre incorporating Lochinvar Commercial Solar Water Heating. The decision to come to London Gateway represents a major milestone in their strategy to combine value-added and management services with traditional fulfilment and distribution. Located at the heart of London Gateway’s Logistics Park, offering direct access to the United Kingdom’s most connected trade hub. With advanced port and rail terminals on site, Logistics Park occupants become part of a multimodal supply chain that is faster, cheaper and more sustainable.

DHL’s significant investment in automation underpins its commitment to this strategic location. They will benefit from the right location, the right infrastructure and the right technology to serve Greater London and the South East over the long term. The perfect choice to save time and instil a level of resilience within their supply chain - offering direct access to the United Kingdom’s most connected trade hub. The new state of the art facility will be fully operational spring 2023, with Mars UK already committed to occupying 60% of the site. When complete, the new facility will bring huge opportunities to the market, with a 42m high bay warehouse accredited as ‘outstanding’ by the leading construction sustainability standard BREEAM, an internal volume equivalent to 645 Olympic swimming pools, and market-leading levels of automation which will generate cost and time savings. Jim Hartshorne, Managing Director, Retail & Consumer UK & I, DHL Supply Chain said: “It’s a really exciting day to see the official commencement of a landmark project such as this. We’re incredibly proud to be able to offer our customers operations that are not only world class in efficiency, but also exemplars of sustainable warehousing.” Tim Walker, Supply Chain Director, Mars UK added: “This is an exciting milestone for our business as we look to realise our ambition of creating a truly world class logistics operation that is sustainable, smart and agile. What is good for our business is also good for the planet and this project is a meaningful step in our sustainability journey as we look to create the world we want tomorrow – which we know starts with how we do business today.” The new site is one of two new warehouses under construction, the other located in the East Midlands. Representing an investment of £350m, the two sites will reduce Mars’ outbound logistics carbon footprint in the UK by 7.7%. The buildings themselves will be partially Solar-Powered and rated in the top 1% of non-domestic buildings in the UK environmentally. The Solar Water Heating System

6 x LSP20+ Premium Commercial flat plate thermal panels
The panels are feeding into 2x 388ltr twin coil vessels
Total solar storage volume is 300ltrs – so 50ltrs per panel.
Daily hot water usage is estimated around 2000ltrs per day

Solar radiation, direct and diffused is absorbed at the collector and converted to heat. This is transferred to the heat transfer medium (glycol antifreeze fluid with corrosion inhibitors). The sun is a variable power supply available only during the day and then in varying strengths dependant on the orientation and pitch of the collectors, time of day, cloud cover and season. The greater the suns intensity the higher the performance of the solar system will be. On days of low solar radiation the output from the solar collectors will be lower providing less energy to the solar cylinder.

The system is controlled by the DeltasolBX Differential Controller, this constantly measures the temperature within the solar collectors and the solar thermal store using sensors in the end of the solar array on the hot flow and the bottom half of the solar vessel. When there is a sufficient ∆T between the collectors and the cylinder (6^oc), the solar controller switches on the pump and energy is transferred to the solar vessel via the solar coil. Having given its energy to the solar cylinder the heat transfer liquid is pumped back to the solar collector for re-heating. When the cylinder reaches its set point (65°C) or the ∆T between the collectors and the vessel drops to 4°C the solar pump is switched off. If the collector temperature reached the collector limit temperature (130°C) again the solar pump is switched off to prevent steam from circulating within the solar pipework. At this point the system will go into stagnation but the system will stay hydraulically secure. For safety reasons the solar system has a high limit manual reset stat fitted at high level in the solar vessel, if activated the solar pump will have its power interrupted thus prevent further heat transfer to the solar vessel via the solar coil. The high limit stat is set to switch at 80°C The solar array has been sized according to DHW use and the solar vessel size. The system is designed to heat the solar vessel efficiently without regularly going into stagnation. Stagnation will reduce the working life of the solar components and especially the heat transfer fluid. If a fault occurs with the solar thermal system the Deltasol BX controller will begin to flash red. The AM1 alarm module will also flash red and send a signal back to the BMS.

By HarryCASE STUDIESComments Off

12May

Solar Swimming Pool Heating – UK Part L Pool Building Regulations

BUY bespoke Solar Swimming Pool Heating report based on your location taken from 25 years of local weather files

Swimming pools are included in the Part ’L’ of the building regulations, bringing them in line with the same insulation requirements of that which appertain to domestic and, if applicable, commercial properties.

The Part L Regulations for Swimming Pools states that: “Where a swimming pool is being provided in a building, the U-value of the basin (walls & floor) should not be worse than 0.25W/m2/K as calculated according to BS EN ISO 13370.”

The Part L Regulations for Swimming Pools require the swimming pool basin (walls & floor) to be insulated so that the Thermal Transmission (heat loss) through the basin is reduced to 0.25W/m2/0C, which approximately equates to a pool at 28C and the ground at say 10C losing 4.5W/m2 into the surrounding ground. In comparison an un-insulated concrete pool at the same temperature will loose 100W/m2. There are of course a number of variables that could change this figure but it gives an idea of what insulating a pool shell can achieve.

The pool builder in line with 2010 Part L Regulations for Swimming Pools has to produce calculations to the Local Authority together with drawings showing how the construction method proposed to build the pool will comply with the Part L regulations for swimming pools.

So how do we do it?

There are four standard methods of producing a swimming pool shell.

CONCRETE

Reinforced shell using poured concrete in forms to produce the required shape.
Gunite or Shotcrete where concrete is blown on to the steel reinforced walls and floor to form the required shape.

CONCRETE BLOCKS

Concrete blocks are laid on a foundation or reinforced concrete slab and laid to form the required shape. The blocks are either solid block laid on their flat to form a wall 225mm thick or hollow blocks 225mm in width which are laid and filled with concrete. The hollow blocks can be reinforced with steel.

PANELS

Made from: Polymer or Steel or purpose made Insulated Panels, are laid on a concrete slab or foundation and bolted or locked together to form the required shape.

PREFORMED GLASS FIBRE OR POLYMER ALL IN ONE SHELLS

A preformed shell is delivered to site and installed in a one piece operation.

There are also two types of lining for Nos. 1-2; Tiled or a PVC type of liner which produce the waterproof membrane in the swimming pool.

No. 3 always uses a PVC liner to form the waterproof membrane with the exception of some insulated panels which can receive a tiled finish.

No. 4 does not require any form of waterproof membrane being a seamless structure of fibre glass or polymer material.

An insulating product can be fixed to the pool shell and floor on either the outside or inside of the pool with the exception of the preformed shell where practicality and the nature of the construction mean that the insulation has to be fixed to the outside. The use of insulated panels however has the added benefit of not requiring any additional insulation to the pool walls.

There are a number of insulation materials that can be used to give the required U Value to the pool walls and floor. The practicality of each has to be considered and to whether its use is suitable for structural reasons or ground conditions. Various loadings or fixings that are applied to the pool shell could possibly exclude some forms of insulation applied to the inside of the pool. The design of the shell has to be taken it into account on these occasions. Loads or fixings to the top of the pool are an example of this where the insulation will not take a load or fixing. A high water table will also exclude some products fixed to the outside, where dry conditions will not.

Expanded polystyrene is an example of this due to its water absorption properties. It should not be used in wet areas but is perfectly suitable in absolute dry conditions. Extruded Polystyrene however can be used in either condition. Although certain Extruded Polystyrene and Polyurethanes absorb water their absorption rates are so low that it can be ignored.

It is quite apparent that although there are a number of products that will achieve the required U value. The type of insulation or product cannot be included in any requirement of the regulation and it will be up to the contractor or Architect /Consulting Engineers to specify the product that will give the required level of insulation under Part ‘L’ regulations.

U-value 0.18
The performance of individual products is available from different manufacturers in their technical guides to assist in the choice of product to use. It has been proven that insulation applied to the inside of a pool is more efficient than on the outside and this has to be taken into account when choosing which product to use. The thickness of the insulation depends on the type that is used and a typical type such as extruded polystyrene will be 75mm-100mm thick so the builder should allow for this in the overall dig size.

Swimming pools are constructed in varying soil conditions and in some instances out of the ground. The heat loss through the shell of the pool is therefore dependent upon the ground conditions that surround the pool.

If a pool was constructed in dry ground with the insulation on the outside, then it would require less insulation than if it were constructed in heat absorbing wet ground. On the other hand if the insulation was on the inside then there is no difference and the insulation thickness is only that which will give the required heat retention in the pool.

When pools are constructed with insulated panels it is irrelevant whether the ground is dry or wet as the pool wall is the insulation as well as being its structural component. In this case the only decision to be made is whether to put the floor insulation on the inside or under the floor slab. If it is on the inside then there are no thermal bridging problems. If it is put on the outside then it should be placed in a manner that prevents thermal bridging.

There are standard methods within the building regulations for building and insulating basements that are very similar to that of a swimming pool and the methods of insulating these structures can be used to insulate swimming pools.

The calculations to prove the construction will have to be laid out according to: Thermal Performance of buildings- Heat Transfer via the ground – Calculation Methods BS EN ISO 13370. The pool builder will have to submit these calculations for the approval of the Local Authority direct or through an Architect or a suitably qualified person or persons.

If the pool builder is going to use concrete blocks or using sprayed concrete or poured concrete into shutters to build the pool he will have to produce the calculations for heat loss relating to the type of insulation he/she intends to use. However if the pool is built from manufactured insulated panels or other pool kits then the manufacturer should produce the necessary calculations for the builder to submit proving that the panels and floor construction meet required U value (level of heat loss) through the pool basin.

If an existing pool is renovated then insulating that pool to modern standards would become compulsory under the proposed regulations. The regulations propose that if 50% of any part of the pool including the rendering is removed and replaced then this will be deemed to be a renovation not a repair and the pool will be subject to Part L regulations. In this case insulating the floor by putting the insulation on the outside would not be practical and the insulation would have to be placed on the inside. This would not be a problem for a liner pool but a tiled pool however would have to use a product that could be tiled upon and there are a limited number of products available for this purpose.

There are two situations where a swimming pool is sited, INDOOR & OUTDOOR. Each has a different rate of heat loss associated to it. The outdoor pool has a greater heat loss than an indoor pool due to it being subjected to outdoor elements such as wind and rain. However both pools if sited in the same ground conditions loose the same amount of heat into the ground.

Evaporation has a more significant effect on outdoor pools than indoor. The outdoor pool is subjected to wind and at most times a lower air temperature so heat is lost through the surface of the pool.

In an indoor pool the air temperature is higher and normally 1C higher than the water. This reduces the evaporation rate and the air handling units normally recover the latent heat of vaporisation which is then put back into the air or pool water. Most of the heat loss is therefore through the walls and floor.

Common sense therefore dictates that the U values for the walls and floor of a pool should be reduced to save energy which is where the new Part ’L’ regulations for walls and floors come in. Although the walls and floor of an outdoor pool have a lower percentage of the overall total heat loss, the heat loss through them is the same as an indoor pool so should have the same U value in their construction. However the regulation to insulate an outdoor pool will not come into effect until 2013 but the savings in running costs are nevertheless real and should be brought to the attention of the customer requiring an outdoor pool so they could be given the choice and opportunity to insulate or not.

The use of Pool Covers should be highly recommended but practicality dictated that their use could not be included in the Part ’L’ regulations due to the comparative short longevity of the product.

The amount of energy used on swimming pools is significant and the Government’s policy of reducing carbon levels made it a target for regulation and inclusion of swimming pools into the Part ‘L’ Regulations was without doubt inevitable.

SUMMARY

PREFORMED GLASS FIBRE OR POLYMER ALL IN ONE SHELLS. A preformed shell is delivered to site and installed in a one piece operation. solar water heating

By HarryCASE STUDIESComments Off

02Feb

Yorkshire – Solar Swimming Pool Heating

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Rose House in South Yorkshire utilizes Solar Water Heating technology for the solar central heating, Solar Swimming Pool Heating and general hot water heating. A 14 panel (28m2) roof integrated thermal weathering kit facing direct south. The panel array was piped into a fully pumped flow and return pipe circuit and pressurized with a

Specialist Antifreeze fluid known as solar Glycol. Specially made and Branded as Thesol. It is very important to have Glycol with high tolerance working conditions such as those offered by Thesol; Working Temperature: -32 Deg C/+230 Deg C (Max 2,5MPa) Short Term overheat Temperature: 300 Deg C There are many cheap Glycol alternatives in the market which are not suitable for the working temperatures of our solar water heating panels. It is very important that you fill your solar system with the correct anti-freeze. We only warrant Thesol with our panels. Solar thermal panels get very hot, particularly during periods of stagnation. If you fill your system with cheap poor quality anti-freeze the system will block up within a few years turning the antifreeze to a tar like substance, eventually leading to the failure of the solar system. Thermal storage With the installation of a large capacity thermal storage tank (2000 litre) we were able to collect and store as much of the heat energy as possible, with a maximum storage temperate of 80 Deg C. The selected tank is the HSK tank (Solar Hygienic-Stratification-Kombi-Tank) This tank allows multiple entry points for different energy sources, like solar thermal, Biomass or a heat pump. This tank is also installed with large stainless-steel internal coil delivering high-pressure instantaneous domestic hot water production. Heat distribution - With a large amount of stored solar heated water, we are able to distribute the heat energy into required heat demand areas. For this system we delivered with the use of pump stations, delivering heat to the following areas. House heating: Radiators and underfloor heating system Pool house: Bench heaters and underfloor heating system Hot Water: Delivering hot water to the house and pool house

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12May

Nairobi, Kenya – Pressure Geyser Solar Water Heating

The Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations, 2012 (the Regulations) require that all domestic dwellings or residential houses, commercial buildings (including hotels, lodges, clubs, restaurants, cafeterias, laundries, eating places and similar premises), health institutions (including hospitals, health centres, clinics and similar medical facilities) and educational institutions (including universities, colleges, boarding schools and similar institutions) with hot water (60 °C) requirements of a capacity exceeding one hundred litres per day (the Affected Buildings) shall install and use solar water heating systems (Solar Heaters) within five years from the date on which the Regulations came into force.

Kenya’s Energy Regulatory Commission (the ERC) is set to begin countrywide spot checks and inspections of Affected Buildings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Regulations, which came into force on 4 April 2012. The ERC’s authority to carry out inspections emanates from section 7 of the Regulations and section 24 of the Energy Act (No. 12 of 2012), which empower the ERC to enter any premises for the purposes of carrying out the objects of the Act through its committee or agents. Owners of Affected Buildings that were constructed before the Regulations took effect (Pre-existing Affected Buildings) have until April 2017 to install Geyser Solar Water Heating, failing which they may find themselves liable to a fine not exceeding KSH. 1 million and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year. While owners of Pre-existing Affected Buildings still have a two-year window to install Geyser Solar Water Heating in their premises, developers, owners, architects and engineers engaged in the design and construction of new buildings and extensions or alterations of Pre-existing Affected Buildings have to comply immediately. For new or upcoming buildings, the Regulations have the potential to have far reaching effects because they impose an obligation on any electric power distributor or supplier (including the Kenya Power and Lighting Company) to refrain from providing electricity to any Affected Buildings if Solar Heaters have not been installed in accordance with the Regulations. We have been working actively in Kenya in the Housing Sector. Helping provide Geyser Solar Water Heating Energy Savings. Engaging with communities to deliver the highest quality solutions from Europe's Leading Solar Panel Manufacturer. In Kenya the average salary / income per family is approx…. KES 6,498($ 80) a month.

The average Family spends around KES 1,000($ 10) a month on electricity bills. Since installing the solar water heating system there has been a saving of KES 700($ 7) which is roughly 70% of the energy bill. Geyser Solar Water Heating has been used in cooking as this cuts the gas and Electricity costs since the water takes less time to boil. The Solar Hot Water is used for bathing and washing and has negated the cost to heat water. Before installing the solar panels the water was heated with the use of gas and electricity, this has now stopped hence reducing the cost of energy to the family. The financial impact has been huge. Thanks to solar water heating we are able to save approx…. 10% + of the monthly income.

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On roof Thermosiphon installtion, Santiago Chile

02Aug

100,000 + Thermosiphon Solar Water Heating Systems Installed

Chile has three mechanisms to encourage installing solar water heaters (SWHs) for residential water heating:

A tax exemption for SWH installation in new housing (from 2017)
Subsidy to incorporate SWH into housing reconstruction programmes (2014-17)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINVU)'s Family Heritage Protection Programme for existing public housing (from 2011).

With these measures, more than 100, 000+ homes have hot water supported by solar thermal systems.

Tax benefits for installing SWHs were initially granted from 2010 to 2014, and the programme was extended until 2020 and now moves forward to beyong 2022. The benefit applies to new houses and apartments with SWH installed between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020 in accordance with the technical requirements set by law and having a municipal acceptance certificate.

Construction companies can deduct the cost of the SWH, its installation and five years of maintece from their income tax or any other tax.

The tax benefit varies according to the value of the dwelling (land + construction costs).

The level of tax benefit per housing depends on the size of the solar thermal system: the benefit is the biggest for the smallest systems. The level of the benefit declines each year between 2015 and 2020.

In response to housing reconstruction needs because of the natural disasters that occurred in 2014 and 2015, the government introduced a subsidy for the installation of SWH as part of the housing reconstruction programme. In total, some 5,200 buildings received the subsidy.

For existing public housing, MINVU and the Ministry of Energy have created a subsidy for the installation of SWH. From 2011 to 2015, the subsidy was granted to 28,000 buildings.

The Family Asset Protection Program continues to deliver across Chile. Working closely with communities to install Thermosiphon Solar Water Heating systems, bringing Free hot water to many excited families.

Recent neighborhoods:

- 32 installations in Cerrillos, Santiago.

- 20 in Villa Magister, Maipu, Chile on stage 1. and now stage 2. with 21 more systems.

CVC Instalaciones Solares Chile Family Assets Program Agua Caliente Solar

The program in Chile has now delivered Thermosiphon systems on over 100,000 homes

solar water heating

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17Aug

Oxford University – Commercial Solar Water Heater

The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in continuous operation. This project was located in a very sensitive planning area, so this very modern building had to blend in with the surrounding historic buildings. The commercial solar water heating system was carefully designed by mechanical engineers not to be visible from any public right of way which meant the solar panels had to be mounted at an angle of 15 degrees.

The student accommodation was our first experience working with Briggs and Forester and we built a very good relationship with them early in this project. This project had a long pipe run and required a diverter valve to over come potential cooling of the preheat cylinders. We started designing our own control systems for this project to overcome the short falls of the standard solar controllers on the market. Expectations required a solar system that was reliable and took account of the exposed flat roof top location. The historic nature of Oxford required careful consideration for planning regarding profile and sight lines. The heart of Oxford is a ¼ mile from the collage. Complications to overcome the Long pipe run required a 3 port diverter value to preheat the solar lines on start up to avoid removing heat from solar cylinder . We worked very closely with the architect and planners. The Council were extremely happy with the results and the building was later short listed in the RIBA awards. Bespoke frame mounted at the minimum collectors angle without reducing their self cleaning properties and life span. Smart example of TS300 solar water heating panels installed on a bespoke frame.

Client: St Ann's University. Oxford Contract: Briggs and Forester Size: 32m2 Storage: 2000 litre Preheat Usage: Student Accommodation

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Lochinvar solar water heating panels on hospital roof

25Apr

Norfolk & Suffolk Hospital Foundation Trust – Commercial Solar Water Heating

Lochinvar helping dementia care hospital reach BREEAM Excellence with the industrial Solar Water Heating system.

A flagship project with a considerable demand for hot water to satisfy the wards, shared clinical areas, administration and training rooms.
The integration of renewable technologies with fossil-fuelled water heaters and boilers.
Other carbon-saving features included a green roof, ground source heat pump and lighting controls

NHS trusts are looking closely at their provision for handling the increasingly prevalent condition of Dementia. The Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust decided to upgrade dementia treatment facilities for the Norfolk area with the building of one of the most advanced facilities in the UK, at Hammerton Court, Julian Hospital in Norwich. The new dementia intensive care unit (DICU) cost £13.7 million and achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. The hot water demand is satisfied sustainably by a large commercial solar water heating system integrated with EcoShield^TMgas-fired condensing water heaters, and an EcoKnight'" gas-fired condensing boiler.

The architecture, structure and mechanical engineering building services were co-ordinated using a 3D design and drafting software model. Robert Forster of the Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation (NHS) Trust said that Lochinvar had provided a fully designed heating and hot water package that "suited our needs". He added that it integrated with the ground source heat pumps, which were installed separately and provide heating as well as a boost for the hot water. He added that it was a project 'the Trust and staff are extremely proud of" and that the Systems are working well. Jacob Sismey, senior mechanical engineer at Ingleton Wood LLP, who provided the building services design, added that comparative data for the plant operation was still being assessed. He said Lochinvar had been recommended to his team by the client and "proved to be very helpful and informative on the requirements of the project". 'The equipment specified forms part of the client's requirement for renewable strategies" added Mr Sismey

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31Mar

Cape Horn Extreme Cold in the Southern Hemisphere – Commercial Solar Water Heating

What is the furthest South that commercial solar water heating panels have been installed? Who installed them? Does it surprise you that close to Tierra Del Fuego and Cape Horn on Lennox Island there are Solar Thermal Panels - the same panels

that have been fitted in Germany, England, the United Kingdom, the USA and in the Sahara Desert? When, in 1833, Charles Darwin sailed in HMS Beagle he sailed around the southern tip of South America between Tierra de Fuego and an island called Lennox Island. The channel was thenceforth known as the Beagle Channel, and the Beagle Channel with the neighbouring Islands, became a long standing dispute between Argentina and Chile, as to ownership. The dispute was founded, like many boundary disputes, upon ambiguous language, contained in a Treaty between the two nations in 1881. Everything in the treaty was clear to latitude 52 degrees south, but the treaty, describing the division of barely explored lands and waters, was unclear until the dispute was resolved by Papal mediation in the early 1980s. That mediation left Lennox Island under Chilean Sovereignty, and Chile established, among other things, a military base for their marines at Lennox Island at 54 degrees south, about the equivalent latitude south as Manchester is in the northern hemisphere.

Despite its latitude, Lennox Island is a very cold place. Cape Horn is only a few degrees more south and Lennox averages in temperature around 4 degrees Celsius. Getting resources to such a faraway place is always hard and the Chilean marines, in order to provide some sustainable independent source of energy commissioned ten solar thermal panels from CVC Instalaciones Solares at one of the Marine’s homes to provide hot water and heating support. You can see some pictures of the installation, which is now complete. Preliminary results are excellent, with the panels providing sustainable renewable heat in the cloudy, cold & overcast conditions close to Cape Horn.

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13Mar

Chile Family Assets Protection Program – Pressure Geyser Solar Water Heating

We have been working with FAPP (Family Assets Protection Programme) for a number of years. Helping deliver Solar Water Heating Energy Savings Free across a number of Regions in Chile.

With 10 Teams across 5 Regions actively working with communities to deliver the highest quality solutions from our European factories. Government led benefit program through a direct subsidy to the householder. There is no payback, householders just receive the benefit “For FREE”. The program is registered in 9 Regions, the intention being to roll this out in all 15 Regions of Chile. The Thermosiphon Solar Water Heating Systems have the advantage that they can work Off Grid if required. The financial impact on Families is huge. To put this into perspective, the average income per family in Chile is 400.000 Chilean pesos (USD577) and they save almost 40.000 Chilean pesos a month, 10%, by using Solar Water Heating instead of gas or electricity to heat the water.

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