Solar panel systems have established themselves as a popular renewables option for both specifiers working on new-build schemes and local authorities wishing to retrofit.
It is, however, a well-known fact that specification and installation challenges together with aesthetics can be off-putting for potential specifiers. As a result, manufacturers are continuing to develop both photo-voltaic (PV) solar collectors and solar thermal panels for easy installation, increased efficiency and improved looks.
As a versatile, renewable energy option, the new Baxi Solargen range offers significant specifier benefits. They will help developers keen to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Levels 4 to 6 on their schemes, bringing an impressively low carbon rating under SAP at the same time as generating electrical energy for the homeowner or social housing tenant, and recurring revenues under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme.
The difference between this approach and other PV panels is in aesthetics, energy-generating performance, reliability and ease of specification and installation. In a growing market where the demand for effective solar PV has risen, these qualities are critically important for specifiers.
The Baxi Solargen provides a one-box, hassle-free kit solution to meet both flat and pitched roof applications. Smart-looking, high performance polycrystalline solar PV modules deliver an efficiency of between 13-16%, with a choice of four different outputs - 1.32kWp; 1.76kWp; 2.64kWp; and 3.96kWp.
The modules have three bypass diodes installed to aid performance if shading becomes an issue. These diodes allow current to flow more efficiently around shaded cells, reducing voltage losses due to the module limiting the reduction in array output. The modules are equipped with a positive power tolerance of 3% which ensures the householder receives the expected power output from their system.
In addition to the collector modules, the Baxi Solargen kit contains a DC to AC electricity inverter, a generation meter, DC and AC isolation switches, roof mounting brackets, and all cables and connections.
Solar thermal collectors, such as the Baxi SolarFlo, absorb the heat from the sun's rays, transferring it to a glycol-based fluid, which is then circulated through to a solar coil in the base of a specially designed hot water storage cylinder, such as, the Heatrae Sadia Megaflo Solar. This heat is then transferred to the stored domestic hot water and the cooled fluid returned to the collectors to be re-heated, starting the whole process all over again.
During the summer months, this type of solar thermal system can generate as much as 90% of the hot water required for an average household. In the winter up to 30% can be comfortably provided. The remainder is typically supplied either by a conventional heat only or system gas boiler or electric immersion heater. On average, a well-designed and properly sized solar heating system can generate around 55% of the annual domestic hot water demand while also substantially reducing carbon emissions for any home.
Full technical support and back-up is available for specifiers through Baxi’s expert NewDesign team. For more information, please visit www.baxiknowhow.co.uk or call 0844 871 1555.
