Anyone using Solar Energy?

[Tobes]

Just wondered if anyone else is using Solar energy of some sort.

Our house is a complete state at the moment because parents have decided to do it up. Just seems to be coming along very slowly.

But Dads finally got round to fitting the solar panels to the roof and new boiler etc.

At the moment the water only gets luke warm but when the clouds finally go the water should be pretty hot to have a bath in.

But who would have thought Plumbing could be so high tech. There are so many different buttons, remote receivers etc.

Just for fun here is a picture of Nancy.

 

[Tobes]

Waste of money. How much has the system cost him?

Can't remember now. I was having a discussion with him the other day and having the panels means we only need to use the gas for the oven hobs. So your "waste of money" statement doesn't apply here.

msm722, now that is cool

Moredhel you are correct. I will know the specific costs later when he get's back so I will post them up.

 

[Tobes]

Isn't it far more efficient to heat a tank of water by letting sunlight shine directly on it, rather than using a solar panel to electrically heat it?

That's what ours does. It's basically black glass which has water pumped through it.

 

[Tobes]

I have been home alone all weekend and Dad just got home. I'm not going to go ask him specifics tonight as he's had a long trip. But he noticed that I had not turned on the boiler this weekend. I didn't know I was supposed to. Which means I have been using the water the panels have heated.

Wow... the water is actually burning hot. Very impressed as it's only been slightly sunny. It was cloudy and raining this morning.

But as Felix says it's an alternative. In the Summer it means we use no gas and in the winter it will give the boiler a head start.

I'm not one of these eco hippies but if it saves money in the long run then it's all good.