Solar power has a bright future

Encouraged by the success of the solar water heating system in the dairy unit a training workshop on solar hot water systems will be held at Greenmount Campus on Tuesday 13 December.

The system was installed in the autumn of 2009 to investigate the potential of solar power to reduce energy bills.   Before the solar system was installed it took 48 kWh of electricity a day to heat the water for the twice daily hot wash for the milking plant.  This reduced to a daily average of just 17 kWh, giving a financial saving of over £1,700 per year on electricity bills.

Solar systems of this type should last around 25 years and they have a low maintenance cost and low operating costs.  They are especially appropriate for the dairy farmer and have other applications in the agricultural and horticultural sectors, as well as in the home.

The workshop will run from 1.30 to 3.30 pm on Tuesday 13 December.  Topics covered will include the principles of solar hot water systems, their place on the farm and in the home, the payback time, grant funding available and the impact of the Renewable Heat Incentive.  The event will finish with a tour of the solar hot water system at the dairy unit.

To book your place on the workshop please contact Denise Andrews at denise.andrews@dardni.gov.uk or telephone Technology Admin on (028) 9442 6770.  

For further information about the workshop contact David Trimble at david.trimble@dardni.gov.uk or by telephone at (028) 9442 6682.

The solar collectors at the Greenmount Campus dairy unit which will be on view at a workshop on Tuesday 13 December at 1.30pm