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Worcester Greenskies FK240 Solar Panel
Controls
The Worcester solar package includes a simple controller (TDS10) which allows the user to select the temperature required at the hot water cylinder. The controller then automatically decides when to run the pump to bring the energy from the panels to the cylinder.
The control uses a simple temperature difference to define when the pump runs. The temperature in the panel must be 8 degrees higher than the store for the pump to start running. This will continue until the panel temperature gets to 4 degrees above the store and then the pump will stop.
This ensures that the pump is running only when the benefit from the solar panels is available.
Versatility
Application of Worcester Greenskies Solar Panels
Worcester offers a complete package (with the exception of the solar cylinder and ancillaries) for a solar water heating solution as an addition to an existing or replacement boiler. The solar panels can also be used for other water heating requirements such as heating of swimming pools.
The panels can be mounted directly onto sloping roofs with a variety of fixings for different roof coverings or onto a frame for flat roofs.
The solar panels should be installed in a southerly direction at an angle of around 45 degrees. Where this is not possible the installation should move towards a westerly facing direction. East and North facing directions should be avoided.
Panel performance
Each Worcester Greenskies FK240 collector has a net surface area of 2.1sqm with a minimum efficiency of 525kWh/m2a. The panels are covered with solar glass which helps the selective coating on the copper collector absorb 92% of the available energy. The panel contains 60mm of mineral wool which contributes to the low 12% emission rating.
A common question (see the FAQ section for more) about solar in the UK focuses on whether there is enough sunshine available to make solar worthwhile. The usual idea of British weather is of cloudy skies and intermittent sunshine. Worcester’s solar panels have been developed with this typical weather in mind and make the most of both direct and diffuse sunlight to give a useful annual contribution wherever in the UK you are.
Solar Radiation in the British Isles
Contrary to popular belief the amount of solar radiation received by the UK is enough for solar water heating to be a viable supplement to existing domestic water heating. Perhaps surprisingly the UK receives 65% of the amount of solar radiation that is received by the south of Spain. The radiation in the UK is made up of direct radiation on sunny days, which accounts for around 40%, and diffused radiation on cloudy days, accounting for 60% of the total.Summer will provide the largest amount of radiation over the year but a useful contribution will be provided by other seasons.
As an indication, a well sized typical installation will provide the following proportion of the household domestic hot water requirement:
