Energy Production at Treworgey
Solar

We think that Solar panels used for heating water are the most cost effective green energy.

 

In 2004 we installed banks of solar black plastic mats on the bank beside the swimming pool to reduce the huge amount of oil that we were burning to heat the pool. They made a big difference on sunny days in summer, but on average did not make a significant difference overall. So in 2007 we invested heavily replacing the mats with glass solar tubes. Inside the glass tubes are metal collectors within a vacuum. These tubes can get hot enough to fry an egg on sunny days and are still very effective on cloudy days. Solar thermal is particularly effective for heating a pool as the evacuated tubes heat large amounts of water from low temperatures. We are delighted with the tubes so far and now generally use the boiler a lot less, only occasionally on overcast days throughout the summer.

 

In 2007 we also installed evacuated tubes on three of our cottages for domestic hot water. The collectors are capable of providing all the hot water required on sunny days in summer and will still contribute on a cloudy day in December.

 

If you are thinking of reducing your carbon emissions by producing some of your own energy, we highly recommend solar thermal for heating your domestic hot water as the most cost effective first step.