Solar Energy in the UK

• Solar energy in the UK is far greater than most people imagine.
• Solar thermal systems reach their peak in the summer months but even in the spring and autumn and on clear winter days we receive very useful amounts of solar energy.
• By tilting a surface to an angle the amount of solar radiation falling on it will be greater than that falling on a flat surface in this country.
• Fortunately, the average tilt of a UK house roof is about the optimum for receiving solar energy in the UK.
• Solar Thermal systems can provide approximately 50% - 60% of annual household domestic hot water requirements, a huge saving on heating bills.

This map produced by the Solar Trade Association shows the total average solar radiation falling on one square meter surface inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal, measured in kilowatt hours.

These figures bring out the remarkable fact that the amount of solar energy falling on the total roof area of an average house is many times that required to provide all its heating and hot water.