Generally solar thermal panels are only used for space heating in new build properties in the UK, and not retrofitted into existing houses. This video tells why (with an abbreviated transcript if you prefer to read):

On the continent almost 30% of systems are designed for dual hot water and heating, but we're quite behind that for a few reasons.

1. In the UK, solar panels are at their weakest in winter when you want the heating on.

2. You need a very large collector area to make a useful contribution - roughly 1m2 of collector area for every 10m2 of floor area to be heated.

3. To deal with that large collector area you need a huge buffer tank, and a plant room to store it.

Retrofitting solar thermal for heating often costs more than it's worth.

About the author: Gabriel Wondrausch is founder and director of SunGift Solar, which installs solar thermal and other renewable energy systems in the South West of England.

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