The pilot scheme is taking place in a commercial washroom at the facility which serves 100 people over three shifts. During a typical day, up to 2,000 litres of hot water was previously heated using a calorifier. The pilot involves installing a new Vaillant ecoTEC plus 630 condensing system boiler as well as the auroSTOR twin coil 300-litre cylinder and Vaillant’s auroTHERM flat plate solar collectors.
Jim Ryan, Assistant Plant Engineering Manager, Bombardier Transportation said: “Improving our energy efficiency on site is something our Canadian HQ and our sister companies globally are all actively pursuing. We will be evaluating the cost-savings by attaching a meter to the boiler in order to evaluate the long term cost savings and we are planning further installations will take place in the other seven washrooms at our Derby facility.”
Bob Greatorex of Pegasus Plumbing & Heating commented: “The installation of the solar panels and cylinder was our first, although we are very familiar with Vaillant boilers. Three of us, including our customer Jim Ryan, has attended Vaillant’s solar installation training course prior to the installation, and so it was all very straightforward. Despite it being winter with little solar radiation, the solar gain has already saved approximately 75% of the gas they would normally use.”
The auroTHERM VFK 900 flat plate collector, with ultrasonically welded copper absorbers and 60mm insulation on the rear and sides for enhanced efficiency, has a solar glass transmission of 91%. With an attractive, polished aluminium frame, it is a competitively priced option for households. With extra tough (4mm) glass for increased robustness and an overall size of 1160 x 1930 x 110 mm (absorber surface area of 2.02m2), the collectors are remarkably low in weight for their type, at just 43kg. The flat plate collectors also carry a 10-year warranty.
Vaillant’s solar DHW system can provide around 50-60% of annual domestic hot water requirements. It generates lower levels of energy even with indirect solar radiation, as well as higher levels of energy from direct sunlight, meaning that it will work as efficiently in the UK as it does in other countries with similar climates. Typically, the solar control system has a built-in intelligence allowing it to automatically switch from solar to conventional power when needed. Vaillant’s solar domestic hot water system ensures hot water comfort, helps reduce fuel bills, adds value to a property and is a positive benefit to the environment because it reduces CO2 emissions.
For more information about our Total Solar System Solution please click here
