Solar PV report

Installation of infra-red heating panels can be a lower cost option to installing an air-source heat pump and wet central heating system when replacing storage heaters. The savings from the cheaper infrared heating panel system could be put towards a solar PV and battery system which can help reduce heating costs for the household, particularly in the spring and autumn.

The project installed two Wondrwall systems which combined infrared heating panels with solar PV, battery storage, a smart hot water cylinder and an intelligent home energy management system. This was compared against a control property where the household fitted their own infrared panels, and a solar PV system of the same size was installed along with a smart hot water cylinder.

North Devon Homes (NDH) was the project lead. Wondrwall was the system designer and arranged for the solar PV and battery system to be installed. James Electrics Contracting Ltd carried out the electrical works such as fitting the infrared panels and removing the storage heaters. RES Devon Ltd fitted the smart hot water cylinder. NEA assisted with resident liaison, partner liaison, data collection and evaluated the project.