Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 4: Solar thermal hot water systems DG 532 4
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 4: Solar thermal hot water systems (DG 532/4) was written by John Holden and published by BRE on 5 December 2014.
This is one in a series of four BRE Digests focusing on renewable energy technologies commonly used in domestic buildings. They complement an earlier series of BRE Information Papers that cover the installation of renewable energy technologies.
The other technologies covered include:
- Photovoltaics.
- Wood fuels.
- Electrically-driven heat pumps.
Solar thermal systems are designed to convert sunlight (solar radiation) into useable heat energy, usually in the form of domestic hot water. Solar collectors (also commonly referred to as solar thermal panels) are positioned where they will be exposed to the sun’s rays. Generally speaking, a heat transfer fluid and pump move the collected heat to a hot water storage tank, where it can be distributed throughout a building as required, although some systems are designed to circulate the fluid by convection and so do not incorporate a pump. Working together with more traditional water heating systems, such as gas boilers, this can provide a significant proportion of a building’s hot water needs.
DG 532/4 focuses on solar thermal systems in dwellings. The information provided may also be applied to equivalent non-domestic applications. It describes:
- Different types of solar thermal system and how they operate.
- Installation requirements, including integration with hot water systems.
- The steps that should be taken to ensure safe and efficient operation.
- Methods for estimating annual energy performance.
Reference is made to European Standards and certification schemes to indicate the assurances that system owners and operators should expect. Financial incentives are also outlined.
Its contents include:
- Introduction.
- Types of solar thermal collector and how they work.
- Maintenance.
- System design considerations.
- Standards and certification.
- Conclusion.
- References.
[edit] Find out more.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BRE National Solar Centre.
- BREEAM.
- Large scale solar thermal energy.
- Heat pump.
- Odeillo solar furnace.
- Photovoltaics.
- Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 3: Electrically driven heat pumps DG 532 3.
- Renewable energy.
- Solar photovoltaics.
- Solar thermal systems
- Solar-assisted heat pump.
- Wind loads on roof-mounted photovoltaic and solar thermal systems DG 489.
Featured articles and news
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down £1bn
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.