Daikin Solar thermal collectors have been awarded Solar Keymark and can benefit from LCBP grants

(05/02/2010)

The Solar Keymark is a voluntary mark, developed by the European standardisation bodies, which are member of the European Committee for Standardisation. The Solar Keymark certification helps users to select quality solar collectors.

Daikin Solar thermal collectors have been awarded Solar Keymark for solar thermal products; a certification which is mandatory for end users and organisations to access financial incentives, such as grants available through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP).

This accreditation certifies that the solar collectors (models EKSV26P and EKSH26P) have been tested according to and found compliant with EN 12975. The certification is testament to the quality of the Daikin solar collectors, which are now listed on the Solar Keymark Collector international database.

To qualify for the LCBP grants, both the microgeneration product selected and its installer must carry the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) mark, which is designed to certify microgeneration products and services to consistently rigorous standards. Solar thermal products can also be certified under the Solar Keymark scheme, which has become the quality label for solar thermal products in Europe.

Now that Daikin Altherma has the MCS certification and Daikin Solar collectors have the Solar Keymark certification, LCBP grants up to £1300 are available for the householder towards the installation of a fully integrated Daikin renewable energy system. This low-carbon technology utilises the Daikin Altherma air source heat pump combined with solar collectors to deliver a complete domestic space and hot water heating solution.

Available for both high and low temperature systems, the Daikin Solar Systems maximize the use of renewable free energy. The high-efficiency flat plate solar collectors are normally mounted on roof tiles and transfer short-wave solar radiation into heat.

The Daikin Altherma Low temperature system operates in conjunction with an indirect pressurised solar system. A specially designed interface kit transfers the solar heat into the Daikin Altherma hot water cylinder via an external heat exchanger, which allows the entire content of the cylinder to be heated efficiently with solar heat. During solar heating, the heat pump is disabled as the solar energy gets priority, ensuring maximum efficiency. However, whenever extra energy is needed, the Daikin Altherma air source heat pump provides efficient support for hot water production, all with very low environmental impact.

The Daikin Altherma High Temperature operates in conjunction with an unpressurised drain-back system. Thermal store water is supplied directly to the solar panels, heated and then stratified into the Daikin Thermal store, which ensures that the efficiency of the solar panels and the overall use of the system is considerably increased. When the collectors are not in use they are not filled with water, therefore addition of antifreeze agents in this kind of installation is not necessary.

Unlike many other systems in the market, the entire Daikin Altherma and Daikin Solar range offers a complete heating and hot water solution, not just a heat source. It includes all the components that would need to be field-supplied and fitted with any other heat pump, such as the system circulation pump, expansion vessel, 3 way valve, domestic hot water cylinder, solar collectors, solar kit, and pump station. Because all these components are part of the system, not only does the installer benefit from a simplified installation, but all the components have been designed to work together for optimum performance and maximum efficiency.

The Daikin Altherma range delivers seasonal CoPs among the highest in the market. As a result, the CO2 emissions generated from heating can be reduced by up to 57% compared with a traditional combustion based fuel boiler, or by 28% compared to a condensing gas boiler.

Related categories:  Environmental technologies for Residential and Green homes   Solar power and photovoltaics