do i have to buy a new cylinder to install a heating element from a solar panel?

Question

i have got a normal boiler with a hot water storage cylinder, do you have to take out the emersion heater to install the hot rod, where would i get good info for this type of job.

Answer 1

It is difficult to answer this question as it depends on your DIY system and the use for which it is put. But the following may be of some help.
A simple water heating system would pump cold water out to a collector to be heated, the heated water flows back to a collection tank. This type of collector can provide enough hot water for an entire family.
Heat is stored in a hot water tank. The volume of this tank will be larger with solar heating systems in order to allow for bad weather, and because the optimum final temperature for the absorber is lower than a typical immersion or combustion heater.
If a hot-water central heating system is also present, then either the solar heat will be concentrated in a pre-heating tank that feeds into the tank heated by the central heating, or the solar heat exchanger will be lower in the tank than the hotter one. It is important to remember, however, that the main need for central heating,is at night when there is no sunlight and in winter when solar gain is lower. Therefore solar water heating for washing and bathing is often a better application than central heating because supply and demand are better matched.

Answer 2

RTFM

Any DIY system you purchase will come with detailed instructions - if in doubt, get a local plumber who specialises in Solar to inspect your existing installation and give you a Quote.

If you don't like the answer, find another plumber :-)