SolarTech were initially awarded the tender to undertake the first phase of six solar water heating installations in January 2007. Following SML’s appointment as a Framework Supplier under the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) Phase 2 funding scheme, SolarTech were then called in to complete a further six installations, this time being able to offer RFHA the added benefit of 30% grant funding on the total purchase and installation costs.

Each of the solar systems installed includes 4m² Filsol flat plate solar collectors which have been fixed onto the existing roof structures. The collectors are linked to new 180 litre dual coil hot water cylinders. Each system can be expected to reduce household energy consumption by 1,500 to 2,000kWh per year, providing as much as 70% of the total annual hot water requirement per household.

The 12 houses were selected for solar water heating following RFHA’s open invitation to tenants to opt-in to their solar programme. RFHA’s decision to include solar water heating in the energy efficiency initiative was based on a desire to give their tenants cheaper heating bills, whilst also helping to reduce carbon emissions. Solar water heating also offered a low maintenance solution over the lifetime of the systems.