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Types of solar collectors
There are three main types of solar collector, which can be used in Active Solar Heating systems. These are:

Evacuated tubes and both types of flat plate collector are used for Active solar Heating systems for houses and other types of buildings.
The less expensive unglazed plastic type of collector is used exclusively for outdoor swimming pools where lower water temperatures are required.
NB. A selective surface is one which is good at absorbing energy but which does not radiate much energy back to the atmosphere.

In the UK there are manufacturers and suppliers of all types of solar collectors. The products available from STA members are all of high quality and well proven.

A well designed system using any good quality collector (i.e. evacuated tube, selective surface flat plate or non-selective surface flat plate) can provide a significant contribution to a householder's hot water requirement.

DTI Test

This study was undertaken in 2001 to compare eight solar water heating systems on the market in the UK side by side at a test site in Bedfordshire. A pdf file of the document ' Side by side testing of eight solar water heating systems' may be accessed by clicking here.

Costs and performance
Typically, Active Solar Heating systems installed into existing households are priced in the range of £2,500 to £4,000 (depending on the size of house, type of collector, etc.).
For DIY or new build system installations, costs can be reduced - particularly in the case of large scale new building projects.

For a family of four, a well designed Active Solar Heating system should contribute between 1,500kWh and 2,000kWh, which will be equivalent to 40 to 50% of the household's water heating energy needs. The value of this saving will depend on the type of energy displaced.
Systems for outdoor swimming pools using the relatively inexpensive unglazed collectors can be particularly cost effective.