The Irish firm LVP Renewables have been installing Thermodynamic Panel systems in Ireland for a while. Their site has a big list of happy Thermodynamic Panel customer testimonials including:
We are a family of six-two adults and four children ranging in age from 13 to 21 years …. Having now had the system in for 10 months we are delighted with it and there have been no problems to date. We are never in need of hot water as we have had a constant flow since the systems installation in October 2011
Their FAQ page has a few interesting items:
No, this is the only solar panel heating system that will provide you with 100% of your hot water. Also our cylinders come with a mini-emersion inside that can be turned on manually if needed. However if you would like to incorporate a back-up heating system there is a provision for a secondary heating coil in most of the systems we provide (call for specific information on tanks). If you decided that you wanted the secondary coil in the tank then we would advise you to put a manual leaver on the system and only use it if necessary.
What is the difference between an Energie Solar Panel System and Solar Tubes or Plates?
Unlike traditional solar panels (tubes and flat plates) the Energie system offers:
- No unnecessary annual maintenance checks. In order to maintain the maximum efficiency of tubes and plates they must be serviced annually.
- LVP panels are lightweight (weighing only 8kg) and roof structures do not need to be reinforced. Conventional solar panels are heavy-weighing anything from 40-300kg
- Energie Solar Panels absorb heat from both sides unlike traditional panels which only capture radiation on one side
- One Energie panel (80cmx200cm) will provide a family of up to 6 people with all of their hot water needs. With traditional solar a large amount of panels is needed to provide similar quantities of water
- Energie panels need no back up from oil or gas. Other solar panels need an auxiliary energy source when the sun isn’t shining or when in high demand
Yes. In accordance with current legislation, it is provided with a circuit to rise the temperature up to 70 Degrees, which is manually activated and automatically disconnected
What happens if we install 2 panels on the roof?
The heating time will be reduced by half
Thermodynamic Panel Case Study :: Cork (Ireland) water and space heating
Their site also has case studies including one for a central heating and domestic hot water system in Cork (so SE Ireland).
Most are about water heating only (no heating) with positive comments.
The Cork water and space heating was for:
- 235 sq m 2 storey stone cottage with a large extension that has:
– 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom (1 en suite), 1 kitchen, 2 sitting rooms, 1 large hallway, 1 utility.
The Silver Spray property is 281 sq m (4 bedrooms …. - Radiators (not under floor heating)
– average water temp to the radiator circuit 45 degrees C input, 35 degrees average return temp.
– the radiators give the property a 1000 litre water buffer ! - 300 litre water tank.
- I can’t work out what the figures mean !