In recent weeks we have had our fair share of sunshine on Islay – have you ever felt you should be using it for something?
Solar water heating is a well-tested technology, less complicated and less expensive to install than photovoltaic panels which generate electricity. You only have to test the temperature of the water left lying in the hose on a sunny day, even on Islay, to see that it works. Solar thermal collectors are still relatively expensive to install however, and many people are put off by the cost. So how about making your own?
Kerr McGregor, former Senior Lecturer in Energy Engineering at Napier University, has developed a new design of solar water heater which is relatively easy to install and needs no specialist knowledge, just very basic DIY skills, to construct. Kerr believes that the potential of solar power has not been fully recognised in Scotland – the west coast is after all the sunniest part of Britain, and due to our high latitude we actually receive more hours of sunshine than many countries. He has already run a number of successful panel construction workshops in Scotland, and now Islay Energy Trust have arranged for him to run two on Islay, during the weekend of 17th/18th July.
Participants will build a full-size, (2440x1220mm) solar water heating panel in one day. The panel is of freeze-tolerant design (similar to the SolarTwin) and unlike many does not require the use on anti-freeze or the installation of a separate water tank or heat exchanger. One panel should be sufficient to provide 50% of the domestic hot water required by the average household, and connects directly to a conventional low-pressure water system via two pipes already in your loft. Circulation is by a solar-powered PV pump.
All materials and instruction are supplied to build the panel on the day; participants just need to bring a screwdriver, a saw, gaffer tape and sharp knife (e g. Stanley). If you have them, a power drill and work bench would also be handy, though not essential. At the end of the day the panel, weighing about 15kg, will be complete and ready to take home – this will require a roof rack, trailer or van due to size.
The cost of the workshop will be subsidised by IET’s Carbon Savings project and instead of £200 per person will be just £100. On top of this, you will need to fix the panel to your roof – if you are confident at DIY you may be able to do this yourself, using a fixing kit which Kerr can supply separately for £350. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing we strongly recommend professional installation, for which there will obviously be an extra cost. However, with a system like this costing in the region of £4000 at commercial rates this has to be the bargain of the year.
Kerr will be visiting Islay’s primary schools this week in his other guise as the man behind Solar One, the renewables demonstration bus, and you can read more about his experience and qualifications at www.macgregorsolar.com. He will also be happy to answer any queries directly or through Lindy at IET if you’d like more information before committing. Places on the workshops will be limited to 8 on each day – if you’d like to register your interest, please contact Lindy on 301413, or email lindy.maclellan@islayenergyytrust.org.uk stating whether you’d prefer Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th, or are flexible. Then just cross your fingers for more sunshine!
