There are two types of solar thermal panel: flat plate panels and evacuated tubes.
Flat plate panels consist of an absorber plate in an insulated metal box. The top of the box is glass or plastic, to let the sun’s energy through, while the insulation minimises heat loss. Lots of thin tubes carry water through the absorber plate heating it up as it passes through.
Instead of a plate, evacuated tube collectors have glass tubes containing metal absorber tubes, through which water is pumped. Each tube is a vacuum (the air is ‘evacuated’ hence the name), which minimises heat loss.
Unlike the rest of Europe, the UK tends to favour evacuated tubes over flat plate collectors. A DTI test of eight panels found that evacuated tubes performed better in the UK

HP200
HP200 is highly efficient Heat Pipe collector, suitable for installation when the ideal position on thebuilding is achievable.
HP200 is a 'Dry System' recommended especially for domestic use and ideal for Northern European climates.
The dry connection between manifold and tube means tubes can be easily fitted and replaced, without the need to drain down
the system. Highly efficient - super fast heat transfer Unique temperature limitation safety device - memory spring to limit
temperature to 95°C. The system consists of two separate circuits: one in each individual tube inside the heat pipe and one
through the manifold into the hot water tank 'Plug and play' design for ease of installation.

VARISOL
The new Varisol combines Thermomax DF vacuum tubes with a unique modular manifold for increased flexibility in
system design and installation, whilst retaining their top quality performance. The Design of the Varisol product offers a
modern and flexible alternative wherever a rigid manifold system cannot be installed due to space limitations. Quick
and easy to install, Varisol allows individual tubes to be simply 'clicked' together to create solar panels of varying sizes.
This means collectors can be sized to the exact needs of the end user. Rapid installation, no heavy manifold,
Collectors can be sized to fit available space e.g. in between windows. Expandable as needs change - the system
can grow with your family. Precision sizing - 100% accurate - only pay for what you need. Collector size up to 150 tubes.
Suitable for domestic and commercial application.

Albion Ultrasteel Cylinders
Albion Ultrasteel Solar cylinders have been designed specifically with solar applications in mind. Featuring a purpose-designed
solar coil, which allows maximum heat transfer of solar energy into the stored water, they are suitable for use with wide range
of solar systems and are efficient and environmentally friendly way of providing Domestic Hot Water (DHW). They are available
in direct and indirect versions in a range of sizes. Where solar input does not fully meet the heating and DHW requirements,
direct units have an electric immersion heater to meet the additional load. Indirect units use input from the householders'
traditional heat source of gas, oil or electric boiler. Insulation: 50mm-thick environmentally friendly CFC and HCFC-free
polyurethane foam lagging. Range of capacities: From 150 to 300 litres. Guarantee: 25-year guarantee against faulty materials
and manufacture on the stainless steel inner container. The expansion vessel and cold water controls supplied with the cylinder
carry a 5-year guarantee. All other components fitted to/or supplied with the unit carry a 2-year guarantee.

In Roof flate plate collectors
'In-roof' installation is perfect choice for new build as it maintains the integrity of the roof.
In 'in-roof' installation the solar panel, which is encased in a cassette unit, is mounted
directly onto the roof battens and tiled into the roof for weather tight installation.
Kingspan Solar flat plate panels are guaranteed for a period of 10 years of operational
 use and offer a straight forward solar thermal solution perfect for the needs of UK homes

The DTI has calculated that there is sufficient solar radiation levels received across the whole of the UK for solar water heating to be a viable supplement to existing domestic water heating. Solar energy in the UK is far greater than most people imagine. In the summer, when items such as car bodies are often too hot to touch we become aware of the Sun's heat. However, even in the spring and autumn and on clear winter days we receive very useful amounts of solar energy. Naturally, summer will provide the largest amount of solar hot water heating but a useful contribution will be provided by the other seasons as well. As an indication, a well sized typical installation will provide the following proportion of the
 household domestic hot water requirement:
•Spring – 40 to 50% of domestic hot water requirements •Summer – 80 to 90% of domestic hot water requirements •Autumn – 40 to 50% of domestic hot water requirements
•Winter – 20 to 30% of domestic hot water requirements So over the whole year this translates to approximately half of the typical annual domestic hot water requirement.