Quiney
Registered User
Boiler is 3 years old and is a current model ( very green energy rating )
We have a roof full of solar panels for the elektickery ( returns about £1800 a year )
After chatting to a local green energy professional ( he said he is not an expert as the whole scene is so young and new stuff coming almost hourly let alone daily, it was immposible to be an expert... which I quite liked ) he suggested a series of matt black 22mm copper piper with a clear makrolon sheet over them..
The cold feed has three y valves controlled by a temperature sensor
When the temp drops to 5C the y valves switch over.
Y valve 1 switches the feed from the panel to the boiler
Y valve two which is located on the output end of the solar panel to ensure the water does not back feed in to the panel
Y valve 3 is located on the bottom of the panel and just opens, letting water that is in the panel escape there by preventing any possible freezing
Most water heating solar panels in countries where there is a chance of freezing, as indirect, with an antifreeze solution. Wouldn't like mains fed water up on the roof in winter - what happens in the event of a power failure?