Firm claims most efficient solar thermal water heater

An Irish firm claims to have launched the world's most efficient solar thermal water heater

Surface Power, submitted its new device for certification by testing company TUV Rhineland, which pitted the new model against 52 Solar Keymark-certified devices.

It found that the new model was up to 131 per cent more energy efficient in the morning than other devices and up to 70 per cent more efficient under the direct midday sun.

The product is being launched into what company founder John Quinn believes is a market worth over one billion dollars and which has grown three fold since 1998.

Speaking of the advantages of the new device, he said: "Its cost per kW is its biggest advantage while it can generate up to 70 per cent savings on hot water bills when coupled with an insulation upgrade, we can reduce the cost of achieving a solar installation by 50 per cent when measured against efficiency."

Under the Energy Act the secretary of state can create banded incentives for renewable heat installations from the domestic through to the industrial level.

Source: http://www.surfacepower.com/