Gentoo Group To Trial New Solar Angel Panel
Social business Gentoo Group is set to trial a new type of solar panel "Solar Angel" that combines the benefits of conventional solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies to generate both hot water and electricity.
The Solar Angel panel is more efficient than a standard PV panel as it generates both hot water and electricity by absorbing a larger percentage of energy from the sun. In turn, the hot water generated cools down the panel, increasing the efficiency of the electrical generation which should result in lower energy costs for the customer.
The trial will run for 12 months at a property in Washington, with installation taking place in November. Upon installation, the customer will immediately benefit from the electricity and heat generated by the panels.
This will be the first Solar Angel installation on a social housing property and one which has shown partnership working between Gentoo, Northumberland solar technology company Natural Technology Developments (NTD) and County Durham based leading provider of PV, Romag.
Paul Laidler, Managing Director, NTD, said, "We are delighted the first installation of our exciting new product will take place here in the North East where the panel is manufactured. Both Gentoo and our manufacturing partner Romag have been extremely supportive of this initiative to cut customers energy costs."
The objective of the trial is to evaluate and measure the performance of the panel and the cost savings to the customer, before potentially rolling this out to further Gentoo properties.
Upon completion of the trial, a report will be produced outlining the findings which will show any savings to the customer, as well showing the overall benefit of using this type of panel based against that of a standard solar PV panel.
Ian Porter, Executive Director of Property, Gentoo Group, said, "At Gentoo, we appreciate how hard it can be for our customers due to the continuing increase in energy costs, so as part of this we have been investing in solar PV for some time.
"By investing in further innovation such as the Solar Angel panel and by working with a like-minded organisation, we aim to further continue the support we are able to provide in our efforts to improve the lives of our customers."
