cultivate.ie

Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating course for architects and engineers with Quentin Gargin

FULLY BOOKED - Please call if interested in future course 

Monday 16 June 7pm - 9pm & Tuesday 17 June  7pm - 9pm 
€60 (10% discount for EASCA and Cultivate members) 

Solar water heating is fast becoming an integral part of house design. Quite apart from the need for Part L compliance, for a long time prices of equipment have been falling while energy costs have risen, and solar water heating is now a cost-effective source of renewable energy in any new home.

The course will explore the pros and cons of different systems – flatplates, vacuum tubes, vacuum flasks, and various options for installation and plumbing, enabling architects and engineers to design and specify safe and effective solar water heating systems.

The course will cover:

• Different solar panel systems and their advantages / disadvantages
• Selection of suitable storage for both householders and commercial users
• Appropriate panel sizes for various roof pitch / orientation combinations
• Installation options and plumbing circuits
• Roof-mounting and flashing
• Ancillary equipment (differential thermostats, pumps, dump circuits, lightening protection etc.)
• Obtaining appropriate data for BER assessments
• Safety and protection from overheating, freezing, legionnaires disease and excess pressures

Quentin Gargan and his partner Clare Watson live on a smallholding in West Cork where their strawbale house is powered by a wind turbine and solar PVs with solar water heating and other renewable energy systems. Over the last ten years Quentin has installed various experimental solar water heating systems in their home.

Quentin is a BPEC qualified solar installer and lecturers plumbers on solar water heating at Cork Institute of Technology, as well as offering short courses in renewable energy systems at their home. He is a Director of Ecologics where he provides technical support for commercial projects. This course will be loosely based on the FETAC and SEI approved course given to plumbers and professional installers, but with more emphasis on design.