Hybrid solar panel installation questions

Stuart Wright

Depends on how long I had to be up there and how high it is and whether ladders would do.
The blokes who replaced the broken tiles on our roof, for example, popped up the ladder and were strolling round up there like they do it, oh, every day.
Admittedly it wasn't raining, but I don't think it would have stopped them if it was.

The problem with enforcing rules like these is that it removes scope for common sense.

Sky installers, for example, requiring a bolt to be drilled into your wall to go up three steps of a ladder.  Sod that - I got a local bloke to do it.  He just used common sense and a bit of care.

GasDad

Possibly - but it has also drastically reduced the number of deaths and accidents.

Your roofers and guys who don't secure their ladder correctly are the ones more likely to die.

I would add that getting a panel measuring 800x1600 and weighing 25Kg up a ladder is not very commonsensical.

GasDad

Here you go http://ipac.kacst.edu.sa/eDoc/2010/190734_1.pdf

AIUI the heat pump can be driven my some of the electricity generated by the photovoltaic's. So you can get hot water (as opposed to warm).

If I was installing them, I'd want to do a lot of research on the relative efficiencies etc. (eg if you have a very large roof - would separate systems be more cost effective)

IronGiant

Just the sort of thing I was interested in thanks!!!

huwsparky

The fluid that these thermal panels use can withstand temps over 180 degrees C. I don't know what this fluid is but it's blue in colour. We come across it quite often on new builds as 90% of new builds we do the wiring for seem to install thermal panels. Next time i'm on site with a thermal installer i'll quiz him for info!

Personally tho i'd go PV. Just think, when there is sunlight your making money with PV, with thermal as soon as your water is up to temp they are just useless items sat on the roof absorbing the sun.

IronGiant

Thanks Huw.  These Hybrids look very interesting, be interesting to see how they catch on and if early adopters regret it.

RockySpieler

Hybred Heat Pump looks complicated.

Cannot see too many details, the following is guess work.

Possibiliy 4 fluids.

Solar collector circuit (water with anti-freeze closed circuit)
Water Pump
Plate Heat exchanger no. 1
Heat Pump refrigerant circuit, Copeland Scroll, expansion device (probably R410a, CO2 would be better - higher temps)
Plate Heat exchanger no. 2 (normal water closed circuit)
Water Pump
Heating Coil in Water Tank (domestic water)

Issues with installations could include Legionaries heat cycle protection. Combinations with heating circuits (underfloor / radiators). The water tank could be unvented (requiring more system components and registered installer) or vented "old school" gravity tank in the roof. It may need 2 or 3 coils plus immersion, depends on installation.

R410A can give you 50C, CO2 rises to 65C. The refrigeration circuit may be a monoblock (self contained refrigerant circuit, with only water and electrical connections) , which may not require safe handling of refrigerant to install.

Recently found out that on new builds electrical supply companies are forcing heat pumps to have a 3 phase supply.

Looks interesting though.

IronGiant

That was the impression I got.  Highly experimental in a domestic installation.  Not trying to put you off Stuart