 |
residential
weekend course
self-build solar hot water |
We think
that this is the best value for money solar hot water system that
you'll find in the UK.
Participants will leave with their entire system, tailored to their
needs, plus a manual explaining how the system works, and how to
install it. Participants can then install themselves, or they can
ask a professional installer to install for them. It is also possible
to attend the course without purchasing a system.
cost-effectiveness
of solar hot water
Solar
hot water is the most cost-effective renewable energy technology
that you can install in this country. Panels can be located on a
pitch roof, in a frame on a flat roof, or on the ground. Ideally,
in the UK they would face south, at an angle of 35° from the
horizontal, but they can face south-east or south-west, or at any
angle from 15-55°, with a loss in efficiency of less than 5%.
In other words, there are millions of roofs in the UK which are
ideal for solar hot water.
our
system
Our system
is constructed using the highest quality materials.
The collectors are the flat-plate type, and the system is indirect
(i.e. pipes from the panels are connected to a coil in your hot
water cylinder).
The system includes:
-
2
panels, each panel 1.3m², 27kg; you will need an area 2m
x 2m on your roof
-
147-litre
vented twin-coil cylinder, dimensions (inc. insulation) 1300mm
tall x 500mm diameter
-
self-assembled
pump & control set, expansion vessel set and air separator
-
everything
else you will need to install and run your system, including
screws, washers, fittings, and high-temperature pipe insulation!
Please
note: this system is not for you if you have a combi boiler. Also, if you want a mains
pressure (unvented) water cylinder, you must get a professional to install the cylinder for you.
(You can buy our kit without the vented cylinder, and obtain an unvented twin coil cylinder separately, either
from us or another supplier.).
the course
The course
begins with a theory session explaining solar water heating and
our system in detail.
You
will then build and pressure test your own pump & control set,
expansion vessel kit and air separator. No plumbing experience is
needed - this will build confidence in cutting and soldering copper,
using threaded and compresion joints, and fixing leaks.
There are more sessions on installing and maintaining your system,
including fixing the panels to your roof, and how to replace a cylinder.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask specific questions.
Please note that although you will solder and assemble other parts
of the system during the course, you will not build the solar water
heating panels themselves. For reliability, we have found it best
to supply in our kits panels that have been soldered and tested
under factory conditions - the panels will be going up on your roof
and they would be the worst place to later discover a leak! There
is plenty to learn and do during the weekend without the huge task
of making the panels (though we did do this on earlier versions
of the course, and you can buy a manual detailing how to make the
panels if you wish).
At the end of
the course you will leave with your entire system - if you have
a vehicle large enough (the entire kit fits into the back of my
Astra estate - Dave). Otherwise
it may require two journeys, or you may need to pay for a courier.
No specialist
skills are needed to take part in this course.
course
fee
The course
fee is £1695 for those purchasing a complete system or £150
for those who just want to come and learn about the production and
workings of a solar hot water system. All course participants receive
a copy of our manual & installation guide. The course fee may
vary depending upon the exact specification of the system being
supplied. The guide price of £1695 is for a standard 2-panel
system.
Places on this course will be limited. A deposit of £150 secures
a place, and we will need a further £1000 at least 6 weeks
before the course, to purchase materials. Balance is payable two
weeks before the course.
Food and accommodation
is included.
Friends of LILI discount is £40 for builders and £15
for non-builders.
more
on solar hot water
| how
to book: |
|
if you can't open
the booking form, you need Acrobat
Reader - it's free
|
| arrive: |
|
Friday
evening at 6.30 for dinner at 7.30 |
| depart: |
|
Sunday
after lunch (served at 1.00) |
| directions: |
|
click
here for
directions by bicycle, public transport and car |
| what
to bring: |
|
pen
and notebook; towel; work clothes or overalls; boots (meals and bedding are provided)
NO DOGS PLEASE |
| let
us know: |
|
if
you are vegan or have any food allergies, or any special needs |
| accommodation: |
|
3-4
people sharing single-sex rooms |
| prices: |
|
see
above |
| discounts:
|
|
|
| deposit: |
|
£150
(further £1000 payable 6 weeks before course; balance
two weeks before course) |
| car
sharing: |
|
|
|
|
practical sessions: course
participants assemble their pump & control sets, expansion vessel
sets, and air separator; this builds confidence in using copper
pipe and fittings
installed
system: panels
on the roof of a house - you will need an area of south-facing roof
2m x 2m
theory sessions: participants
will learn about the theory of solar hot water systems, and how
to install and maintain their systems, as well as being able to
ask specific questions
working on your roof: it
is essential to hire a scaffold tower for this work, and to think
carefully about health & safety
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