Solar Panels
There have been great advances in renewable energy technology in recent years and Derwentside Homes now has some of the latest devices installed in our properties.
Solar panels are often mentioned in the news, and the term refers to two types of roofmounted panels, solar thermal hot water and PV.
Solar thermal hot water panels are collectors that use the heat of the sun to warm water stored in a cylinder. In the summer months, this can often provide enough hot water for a household. In the winter months, a boiler or immersion heater can be used as a backup to give more hot water and heating, but the system is still saving money as the water doesn’t need as much warming as cold water coming in from the mains. We have solar thermal panels installed at our new houses in Delves Lane and one house at Satley.
Solar photovoltaic panels, known as PV, catch sunlight which is used to generate electricity. Tenants benefit from some free electricity and smaller electricity bills. Derwentside Homes now has five properties with PV panels installed, four houses at Greentree Lane in Catchgate and at Haven House sheltered accommodation, in Leadgate, where they were installed during the refurbishment in 2010.
The panels need to be fitted by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited installer to a southerlyfacing roof that isn’t shaded by trees or buildings. Derwentside Homes achieved MCS accreditation in 2010 and we now install our own systems.
