Solar thermal simplified
Viridian has simplified the task of installing solar-thermal systems with the development of the Pod thermal store, which is said to simplify solar heating to the point where it is as easy to install as solarPV. There is also a version for using surplus electricity from a solarPV system.
Pod units are designed for installing in a loft and have a horizontal format that will slide into confined spaces.
The 100 l thermal store preheats cold water before its enters a hot-water cylinder or combi boiler. Installation time, disruption and making good are all significantly reduced. Installation work includes connecting to solar panels and modifying the cold feed pipework.
There are two versions.
Pod-ST includes an integrated solar controller and pump station, so the installer just connects the pipes and plugs in.
Pod-PV has a 3 kW immersion heater than can use excess PV electricity to make PV water heating possible in the 50% of homes that have a combi boiler.
