**Document:** Atmos Solar System Brochure **Application:** 07/01310/B — Installation of a solar panel on roof **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2007-09-25 **Parish:** Lonan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/83560-lonan-verndale-installation-roof/documents/1505788 --- # Atmos Solar System Brochure ## Solar Collectors [Table omitted in markdown export] Solar heat is gathered by solar collectors, which come in a variety of types and size, each with its own merits. The simplest is the flat plate collector, which comprises a black heat absorbing plate made of aluminium, with copper tubes welded to it. Water passes through the copper tubes, so that the heat gathered by the plate is transferred to the water, which is then stored in a collector tank. At the back the plate is heavily insulated, and the front is enclosed by a sheet of toughened glass. The plate should face between south east and south west, but ideally south. It should be angled between 30 and 40 degrees to the horizontal in order to gain the most heat. Most houses have a roof either sloping or flat, which provides a suitable location for a panel. ![A photograph of a stone building with a slate roof featuring a solar panel installation, partially overlaid by a planning approval table.](https://images.planningportal.im/2007/07/567037.jpg) Cutaway view showing internal copper heat exchanger ## How much energy will I collect? A good flat plate collector will gather 400 kWh of heat energy per annum for each square meter (evacuated tube collectors are more efficient, and gather more heat per square metre, but cost more). Each installation needs to be assessed for the most suitable type of collector, which will depend on the roof space available, accessibility, and of course, cost. Using a 2.75 m² panel, 1,150 kWh of energy can be collected, or with 4 m², 1600 kWh. Since the average home uses some 2,500 kWh for hot water, it can be seen that the Solar collector can provide between 45% and 60% of the annual hotwater energy requirement. ## How much money & CO₂ will I save? A Solar hot water system will last over 20 years, and so when calculating cost savings, remember that the cost of fuel will increase every year, which increases the saving each year. In terms of environmental pollution, it will save between 0.25 and 0.5 tonnes of CO₂ per annum when replacing gas, and well in excess of 0.5 tonnes per year for electrically heated hot water. That is a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions from each house. ## Legionella Safety Hot water systems need to be designed to protect against the formation of Legionella bacteria. Atmos Solar hot water systems are designed so that the water temperature is always raised to 60°C, at which temperature all Legionella bacteria are killed dead! Thus they are extremely safe in this respect. ## AtmosMonoSolarSystem ### The Atmos MonoSolar drain-back system makes use of advanced technology to produce hot water. It consists of a 100 litre insulated thermal storage tank, a heat exchanger, a variable speed pump, an electronic control module and a solar collector panel. Water from the storage tank is circulated around the collector panel, collecting heat from the sun. A 22mm copper heat exchanger coil immersed in the tank transfers the heat to the tap water, so that it can be used for low pressure or mains pressure applications. The MonoSolar has an in built control system which protects it against temperature extremes. If there is a risk of overheating in the summer, or of freezing in the winter, the circulation of water is automatically stopped, allowing water to flow back from the collector into the empty discharge space in the storage tank. This means the Atmos MonoSolar can operate without the addition of glycol antifreeze. The storage tank and solar collector form a closed circuit, making the unit maintenance free. 12 JUL 2007 ### Features - 100 litre heated water storage capacity - Single flat panel collector 2.75 sq m (1.76 x 1.78 m) - Roof mounted or roof integrated - Easy to install - Compact dimensions - High grade tank insulation to minimise heat loss - Encased in rigid, cleanable pale grey plastic case - Integrated drain back system - Freezing and overheating safeguard - No need for antifreeze - Minimal maintenance - Long life span - Increases SAP rating of a house ![A close-up photograph showing a solar panel mounted on a roof with horizontal slats, featuring a 'RECEIVED ON' stamp in the corner.](https://images.planningportal.im/2007/07/567039.jpg) Like all solar heating systems, an electric circulation pump is needed to pump the water round the system. This uses electrical energy, but the MonoSolar control system cleverly uses a multi-speed pump. On start up it runs for two minutes at high speed, and then the speed drops step by step to low speed for the rest of the time. So whilst heat is being collected, the pump uses only 23 watts of electricity. This is a hidden but significant energy and cost saving feature. A thermostatic mixing valve ensures that the water flowing from the tank can be adjusted to meet user requirements, and avoid any possibility of scalding. The MonoSolar may be used to pre-heat water to feed the Atmos Multi or the Atmos Compact. It may also be used to feed an existing vented or unvented hot water tank. ### Options - Special sized panels available to order. - Header tank for installations where distance between base of MonoSolar and top of collector panel is greater than 6m. --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/83560-lonan-verndale-installation-roof/documents/1505788*