Kingspan Thermomax and Ecologics Panels – Fiction and Facts.
We’ve been receiving reports from customers that Kingspan reps are producing efficiency charts comparing their panels to other systems in the market, naming our panels among others. Using the standard test reports, these reports appear to use just two of the three indicators of output, producing a graph which shows their product to be far more efficient, particularly when compared to the more popular twin-wall “Sydney Tube” system which has been perfected in China over decades.
Noon efficiency doesn’t tell the full story though, and their figures seem to ignore a third indicator of efficiency – IAM or Incidence Angle Modifier. This is the ability of twin-wall tube systems to passively track the sun as it goes from east to west. The nett effect of this would, of course, be figures that are misleading.
The table below compares the IAM of our 58mm system with the Kingspan HP200 (source EN12975 certs).
IAM Comparison
| Angle (degrees from South) | 0 Degrees | 10 degrees | 20 degrees | 30 degrees | 40 degrees | 50 degrees | 60 degrees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KINGSPAN HP200 | 100% | 101% | 102% | 104% | 104% | 99% | 90% |
| Ecologics 58mm | 100% | 104% | 112% | 122% | 135% | 143% | 144% |
| Effect of IAM at this angle | 3% | 10% | 17% | 30% | 44% | 60% |
Nobody likes the “buy Volkswagon because Ford is rubbish” type of marketing, but our product has been referred to in a manner which is misleading, and we feel we have to respond.
The issue for you as a customer or installer is “cost per watt” – the total amount of energy supplied, how much it costs and how easy it is to install. Additional factors to consider are the longevity of the system, and how much it is going to cost to replace tubes over its lifetime.
On both issues, our product scores extremely well, provided that the figures used are the correct ones.
There are a number of ways to estimate the actual energy yield of solar panels – like many professionals, we use T-Sol simulation software , which takes a wide range of variants; geographical location, orientation, roof pitch, and all of the data for the panel (including the IAM of course….) and produces an estimate of output.
Vacuum flask systems have smaller tubes, and for a 300L system, we would use either 40 of our 58mm tubes, or 50 to 60 of our 47mm ones. Kingspan manuals suggest using 30 of their HP200 tubes for a 300L system, so we have used this in simulations on T-Sol.
T-Sol produced the following results (click on the links below to see the actual simulation reports). These simulations are based on identical houses in Dublin with a south-facing roof, a 40 degree roof pitch and a 300L cylinder.
Cost/Energy Yield Comparison
| Make and Number of tubes | Annual Output (KwHrs) | Cost of Panels (ex-VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 X 47mm Ecologics Tubes | 2,172 | €1,120.00 |
| 40 X 58mm Ecologics Tubes | 1,961 | €1,060.00 |
| 30 X Hp200 Kingspan Tubes | 1,792 | €? |
Go figure….
In relation to longevity and replacement cost of tubes, we have already dispelled the myth that our borosilicate glass loses its vacuum (this myth is largely based on an outrageous misquote from research documents). Replacement flasks for our twin wall tubes are widely available, not just from Ecologics, and made in standard sizes in numerous factories. Our replacement cost per tube for the 47mm glass flask is just €5. In twenty years time when these flasks are coming to the end of their life, there will be a very competitive market for replacements. Not so for proprietary systems with integrated heat pipes…
We would be happy to quote for systems throughout the country and our trained staff can assist you in sizing systems and with installation information and training. Please email us if you would like more information on our very competitive vacuum tube & flat-plate system prices, cylinders, pump stations and other accessories.
Because big isn’t always best.
Best wishes,
Quentin Gargan
Ecologics Solar Solutions Ltd.,
Kylemore Ind. Est.,