In 2004, Solar Solutions decided that the future heating requirements used for commercial and domestic situations needed to be addressed if predictions about global warming were going to be tackled. Following this decision, the company decided to start installing solar water heating systems in the domestic market.

Managing director Darren Taylor said this venture started very slowly, and his first installation was on his own house, with the assistance of his wife Amanda.

Since that first installation the business has grown dramatically, with many of the installations on commercial properties.

A couple of its larger projects have been for Oxford Brookes University’s Westminster campus swimming pool. This is now being used to heat the pool and has saved a considerable amount in gas costs.

The other recent project was at Leicester College on its Freemans Campus.

At present it is working at Leeds University, where the installations are used to supply hot water for the catering college and a sports facility, again saving considerable gas costs.

Business on the domestic front has grown, with Solar Solutions installing around 150 systems each year.

In conjunction with Cottsway Housing, it has just completed the first installation on one property, along with an air source heat pump. As and when Cottsway properties need boilers replaced, this will be the solution used in future.

Solar Solutions uses products specifically designed for the UK climate, and the main products are Thermomax evacuated tubes, Worcester Bosch and Solar Focus flat-plate panels for domestic installations and, sometimes for commercial installations, a flat-plate panel made by Buderus.

Government statistics estimate domestic users could save between 60-70 per cent of their hot water costs each year.

Over the past year, the company has also started to install ground source and air source heat pumps. These are used to replace the conventional heating systems and use electricity as the power source.

The benefit is that the heat output is between three to five times the energy input, therefore making considerable savings. In future, this will be the only way new houses will be heated.

The Government is encouraging people to look into using renewable energy products and offers grants towards their installation.

Solar Solutions is an approved installer and only uses products approved by the DTI. By choosing Solar Solutions, clients will have access to these grants.

Mr Taylor said the future for the company looks bright and, apart from many domestic enquiries, there are many more businesses looking to use alternative energy for heating.

One project currently in the planning stage is to provide a system to heat an underwater stage. This is a pool 20m long by 10m wide by 6m deep. It is estimated this will save approximately £15,000 per annum in fuel costs. The company is Corgi approved and also replaces, or installs, new boilers.

For more information call Solar Solutions, 01865 884261, or e-mail office@solsol.co.uk