Good planning with Baxi Solarflo

Date:

03/12/2010

Baxi Solarflo solar thermal panels built in to the roof structure of an extended barn conversion in Dartmoor National Park were able to satisfy the requirements of Dartmoor National Park Planning as well as the majority of the property's hot water needs. 

Director of Mapstone Property, Simon Oaff, explains why solar thermal technology was chosen for this substantial family home.  "Dartmoor National Park Planning has stringent planning policies to control development within the National Park and to ensure the area maintains its character and beauty," he says.

"However, it also encourages the use of low carbon, environmentally friendly technologies, so the panels, integrated into the structure of the roof, are unobtrusive yet effective.  The original barn on this site was small; but, by using local materials for the outside of the building and state-of-the-art products and technologies in its construction, we have built a spacious, modern, energy efficient and attractive family home which is compatible with its surroundings.

"The two panels are installed in a south facing roof and exposed to seven or eight hours of sunshine, especially in the summer.  Even in the winter, because of the roof's orientation, enough solar energy is collected to raise the temperature of the water, which is stored in a 300 litre Santon direct solar cylinder.  The cylinder is not linked to a boiler, and has a twin immersion heater to top up the hot water as required.

"The system comfortably provides hot water for two en-suite shower rooms, one large main bathroom and a cloakroom.  We have been impressed by the quick recovery of hot water, especially in the summer, and the solar thermal provides around 80 per cent of the property's hot water requirement," concludes Simon.

Baxi Solarflo is available with on-roof or in-roof panels or evacuated tubes and the package includes everything needed to install the system: pump station with high temperature components; expansion cylinder; 30 metres of stainless steel, fully flexible hose; pre-mixed solar fluid; and all the necessary fittings and connections.  The solar controller provides information on power savings and usage, and is supplied as an integral part of the pump station to save time on installation; however, it can be removed for more convenient siting if required. Baxi Solarflo on-roof and in-roof panels are MCS approved.