Blog>Questions>Can I fit solar panels for my combi boiler?
Last updated: 27 July 2021
Can I fit solar panels for my combi boiler?
I understand you can only fit solar panels if your combi boiler accepts warm water as well as cold water. I have a Valient Ecotec plus 831 which is 8 years old. How can I find out if this boiler accepts warm water?
Question: I understand you can only fit solar panels if your combi boiler accepts warm water as well as cold water. I have a Valient Ecotec plus 831 which is 8 years old. How can I find out if this boiler accepts warm water?
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Answer(s):
Graham Leigh, Heatwave Engineering, Lancing
You can't fit solar panels to a combination boiler. The domestic hot water produced is instantaneously produced on demand and not storage water. Solar panels are used when you have an indirect hot water storage cylinder, usually an unvented type such as a Megaflo or Gledhill or a similar brand. In this instance, the hot water cylinder has a coil inside, which the central heating water runs through, and the heat from this coil heats up the water in the cylinder which is the hot tap water. Inside cylinders that are solar compatible there is another indirect coil that the solar fluid runs through, and such fluid is heated by the sun/solar panels. When the suns goes in and the hot water cylinder is calling to be re-heated, the system will automatically revert to the central heating indirect coil to recharge the cylinder.
If for example, a scenario developed where there was inadequate sunlight, the boiler was not working, so no indirect heat feed, then you would also have two electrically powered immersion heater elements which would then be switched on manually so as you were never without hot water.
However, to answer your question, you can't fit solar panels to a combination boiler. Hope this helps you.
Got a question and need an expert’s advice? Ask a trade today!
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job