Today there are two primary technologies used for converting the sun’s radiation into usable energy -

-  Solar Thermal, which heats water
-  Photovoltaic, which directly generates electricity.

Mainly used for domestic hot water and swimming pools, solar thermal technology utilises the sun’s radiation to heat water.

In its most basic form, the collector can be a pipe placed in the sun and connected to a water supply, with the water being gradually heated as it passes through the pipe.
Using coils of plastic pipes, this approach is used extensively in Florida and Australia for heating swimming pools, but its relatively low efficiency makes it less worthwhile in Northern Europe.

Here, the two modern solar thermal technologies are Vacuum Tubes and Flat Plate, where the collectors are normally mounted on the roof and angled upwards to face the sun.

In a typical solar installation for domestic hot water, the collector on the roof is connected to the lower coil in a dual-coil hot water cylinder.
Liquid is pumped around this closed-loop pipe circuit, transferring the heat generated in the collector to the water in the cylinder.
The cylinder’s upper coil is connected to the boiler, which supplement’s the solar collector system during cooler or overcast weather.

A diagram showing the installation of a typical solar installation for domestic hot water can be seen @@ here @@  

Flat Plate collectors are particularly suited to new-build applications.
They can be embedded within the roof structure to lie flush with the tiles, appearing like a Velux skylight.
The collector is fully assembled ready for installation  -  although larger units can be heavy and may require a crane to lift them into position.

Vacuum Tube collectors are some 15 / 25% more efficient than Flat Plate collectors for the same surface area, primarily due to the technology within the tube.
The vacuum seal insulation also enables the tubes to perform better in windy, cold and cloudy conditions, extending their energy contribution through the autumn, winter and into the spring.
Manufactured from borosilicate glass (“Pyrex”), the tubes are very robust, requiring minimal maintenance throughout their expected 20 / 25 year life.

With scaffolding for access, the entire collector is assembled in situ on the roof.
The framework components and tubes are relatively light in weight and easy to handle, and would not normally require any special lifting equipment.

These features have enabled the vacuum tube to become the dominant solar thermal technology, accounting for some 70 / 80% of the global market.

Our NER-Gaia vacuum tube collectors meet the primary British and European standard, BS / EN 12975, and have been awarded the European Solar KeyMark.
Full details of our NER-Gaia range, and their technical specifications, are shown @@ here @@

A comparison of Evacuated Tube vs Flat Plate collectors can be seen @@ here @@

Solar Photovoltaic technology uses a completely different means of utilising the energy radiated by the sun.
It incorporates electronic semiconductor technology to convert this radiation directly into electricity from a panel consisting of sets of photo-cells.

These panels are best suited for low voltage / low power applications where electricity is not readily available, such as traffic signals and other signage; remote industrial installations; garden lighting; and other remote or small stand-alone equipment or facilities.

Natural Energy Resources Ltd will shortly be introducing a new range of high quality and professional photovoltaic units into the UK, which are all fully approved to UK and European standards.