TGE Group has installed a 194kW solar thermal hot water installation that will help two game farmers in Shropshire to overcome their worries about heavy energy use and rising costs on their pheasant rearing estate. TGE Group conducted an initial comprehensive survey and then designed and installed a 126 panel solar thermal system which will provide underfloor heating for two game rearing sheds, plus a 7.6kWp solar PV system to support it.
“We needed a system that would be simple, reliable, efficient and cost effective” said Sam Barker. “We are delighted with the results and astounded by how much heat can be produced.”
The combined multi-technology system will reduce 34 tonnes of carbon emissions from the site per year and will earn farmers Steve and Sam Barker over £450,000 in savings through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) over the 20 years of the scheme.
“Using solar thermal to heat open spaces shows the versatility of this technology” said Matthew Evans, Heat Director, TGE Group. “Traditionally farmers might fit solar thermal for generating hot water for wash downs, when in reality there are a wide range of commercial heating applications that the technology can be used for.”
TGE Group designed a system that was capable of keeping the high initial heat load required inside each rearing shed constant at 35⁰C, whilst suiting the electrical supply and aesthetic requirements of the site. The optimum output of solar thermal matches the summer pheasant rearing season, enabling the sheds to be used for drying and storing grain through the harvest and winter months. The end result offers a significant 20 year buffer to rising energy costs and, with a generous RHI payment for commercial solar thermal systems reducing the payback to only six years.
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