Solar Panels are a form of active solar power, a description that highlights how solar panels make use of the sun’s energy: solar panels harvest sunlight and exchange it to electricity. Solar Cells, or photovoltaic cells are arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of the solar panel, which collect sunlight through sunlight during daylight hours.

Solar energy originates in the depths of the sun. The Sun endures a continuous stream of thermonuclear explosions as hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms. We come across the resultant energy as radiation that hits the surface of the earth. Solar panels such as flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors, convert this solar radiation into useable electrical energy and store them in batteries for our use. Enough solar radiation strikes the earth every day to meet Earth’s energy requirements for an entire year. Solar panels help us harvest this energy and convert it into useable energy to meet the everyday needs of modern life as we know it today.

Solar panels are usually manufactured using crystalline silicon or the more expensive gallium arsenide, which is produced exclusively for use in photovoltaic solar cells. In direct sunlight at the surface of the equator, a maximally efficient photovoltaic cell about 1/5m in diameter creates a current of approximately 2 amps at 2 volts, however, as a result of the Earth’s atmosphere interference, terran solar panels will never perform as well as solar panels exposed directly to the sun’s rays (such as space-based panels on satellites).

Solar Kits are essential in the context of ever rising energy costs, climate change and changing legislation, the need for a heating and hot water technology that is future proof, cost effective and able to use an unlimited, sustainable source of energy is essential.

Every year the sun provides over 8000 times as much energy as we consume worldwide and in the UK alone we receive between 900 and 1200kWh of energy per metre square of land per year. On average, every home spends 20-25% of its combined annual energy bills on water heating. A well designed Solar Hot Water Kit can provide almost all the hot water for a home during the summer months and around 50-60% year round. This is why Solar Hot Water Kits are one of the most cost effective and environmentally friendly renewable energy solutions available, reducing fuel bills and building carbon dioxide emissions.

Whenever fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas are burnt, carbon dioxide is released. CO2 is the principal contributor to the green-house effect which is leading to long term climate change. However, a Solar Hot Water Kit can provide as much as 60% of a building’s annual hot water demand from renewable energy as building carbon emission can be significantly reduced. Using Solar Hot Water Kits means that running costs compared with traditional fossil fuelled water heating systems can be reduced. More significantly, using free energy from the environment future proofs the Solar Hot Water Kits against fossil fuels as they become ever more scarce and prices inevitably rise.

As with any central heating or domestic hot water system, regardless of it being either conventional or renewable, it is essential that several controls and accessories are used in order to achieve the optimum usage out of the whole system so that it runs efficiently.  The right controls will keep your home at the perfect temperature and save energy, which in the long term will save you money and reduce the impact you make on the environment. Key components of a Solar system are vital in the overall efficient operation of it, therefore, here at BHL we supply a wide variety of supplies for solar systems including; solar sensors, solar heat exchangers, solar pump stations and solar pipe.

Solar Cylinders are designed for use with a boiler to provide auxiliary hot water during periods of low solar gain. The lower coil or heater exchanger will be connected to the solar hot water system with the upper connecting to the central heating system. the Solar Panels transfer heat energy from sun light to a thermal fluid within the solar hot water system. When the thermal fluid is hotter than the water within the hot water cylinder a pump activates pumping the fluid throught the heat exchanger where the heat passes to the water, via conduction, heating your Domestic Hot Water.

As a result from all the required components of a solar heating system, BHL have provided a simple, stress-free solution by provide a comprehensive stock range of Solar Kits, Solar Hot Water Kits and Solar PV Kits. By purchasing one of these kits from our product range you will be up and ready to go and start saving massively on your annual heating bills, which you will notice straight from installation.

Solar Panels are available to Buy online from BHL. We supply a wide range of Solar Panels and Accessories online from leading manufacturers including; Kingspan Solar, Vaillant, Baxi and Dimplex.

Read more about Solar Panels here…..

We at BHL are always trying to keep abreast of the latest developments happening within the plumbing and heating industry.  The buzz word at the moment is renewables – and there has been tremendous growth and interest in renewable technologies recently.

BHL will be visiting this years EcoBuild 2010 at Earls Court, London. EcoBuild is the country’s largest exhibition for the sustainable building sector and it offers the opportunity to view the latest energy saving and renewable products including Solar Water Heating Panels, Solar PV Panels, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Water Harvesting and High Efficiency Condensing Boilers, as well as developments in sustainable design, construction and the build enviroment.

All the leading names from the industry will be displaying their latest products at the conference including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Glow-Worm, Baxi, Grundfos, Bristan, Biasi, Ideal Boilers, Pegler Yorkshire and Cistermiser.

Amongst the manufacturers displaying new lines at EcoBuild is Worcester Bosch who will showcase a selection of new products, including  the new Worcester Greenfloor underfloor heating system as well as the Worcester Micro CHP unit – which is due for release in 2011. Worcester are also launching MVHR (mechanical ventilation and heat recovery) which will be displayed as part of a model house.

To find out about our visit to EcoBuild and the products we discovered, be sure to follow our blog in the next few weeks.