Don Johnson's Website
My Personal 'Stuff'
'
 
 
 
 
 
Some pictures of a
Solartwin solar panel
installed on our
Kitchen roof
 
SOLAR LIFELINE
I recently had problems with my little pump 
which was going to cost a lot to replace.  Luckily
I found Solarproject.co.uk, run by solar
enthusiast Peter Crayfourd who offers a far
cheaper repair service.   His website is packed
with useful info', particularly on the Solar Twin
Help page.   Well worth a visit!
 
Connections in the airing cupboard - the
insulated pipes are from the panel. Red
wire to top cylinder sensor is also visible
 
 
The little pump in the loft - mounted to
reduce vibrations.  Also the black PV, and
yellow panel sensor, cables
 
 
Installation nearly finished
No! there is no reflected heat
from the panel!
 
 
The panel, supported on a wooden 'A'
frame.  A cross batten attached by the
white bracket has held it down even in high
winds
 
 
The Photo Voltaic (PV) cell that provides
power for the motor is mounted at the top
right hand corner
 
 
A view of the rear of the house showing the
discreet appearance of the panel.
Most panels are usually mounted on the
most appropriate sloping roof of a house,
making installation much simpler and
neater than ours.   I chose the flat roof so
that I could do the complete installation
myself, without having to go up tall ladders.
 
 
 
 
 
The sun has gone down, but the
temperature at the top of the cylinder -
displayed on the Controller - shows that
the solar panel kept the water very hot
even when the central heating boiler
was off (in August).
 
 
 
 
 
The Solartwin system I installed is now marketed under the name ThermaTwin by
DiscreteHeat.   If you want to visit their site, it is here.  It contains wide-ranging
information on their innovative system, presented in an extremely straightforward
and honest manner.
 
I purchased their DIY kit, which comes with very detailed and comprehensive
instructions, and the materials supplied are of high quality.
 
One point worth noting is that the pipes feeding the panel are far less visible, or
totally unseen, when the panel is fitted on a sloping roof - which is the usual place
for solar panels.
 
When sourcing some extra insulation - needed because my panel is not directly on
a roof - I mentioned the simplicity of the system, and was told by someone
'with 30 years experience in the plumbing trade'
that 'it would never work!'
 
Well, he was wrong! -  It works a treat!
 
 
 
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