Introduction

The replacement of the oil heating system to a solar thermal system in the Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery and Tibetan Centre

Objectives and target audience

The main objective was to replace the use of oil as an energy source by installing a new solar thermal water heating to provide energy for the three larger accommodation blocks and the campsite.  The most used period of the Samye Ling centre is during the summer and hot water use during this time is important.

The use of solar panels were recognized as one of the easiest renewable alternatives that could be installed quickly and would produce instant results regarding the reduction of carbon emissions.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The total cost of the 55m2 of solar systems was £34,290 plus VAT.  Further construction work was needed to include the new hot water storage cylinders.  This meant that the storage capacity now available is much greater than was before.

Process

The Rokpa Trust with the aid of the local Scottish Community & Householder Renewables Initiatives (SCHRI) development officer decided upon which hot water alternatives were viable.  It was noticed that three buildings on the site were suitable for the placement of the solar panels.  With the aid of the SCHRI officer, suitable quotations were received for the installations of the solar panels from three registered solar panel installers.  The appropriate installer was chosen and again help from the SCHRI capital projects fund provided funding to the Trust.  In addition of funding from SCHRI, a substantial amount was offered provided from a private donor.

The specification was to make full use of the available roof area and space for hot water storage.  The solar system was accompanied with the construction of 2 new boilers to ensure a highly energy-efficient hot water system.  The company ‘Secon Solar’ were the chosen supplier for the solar equipment to supply and install the solar hot water systems.  The company Johnstone & Clark were hired to supply, install and commission the new boilers.  The costs were contributed to by the Rokpa Trust

Results

The installation the commissioning of the system occurred in March 2007.  In return the trust expects there to be significant savings in both cost and energy use throughout these buildings.  The monitoring of the system will be a constant process in order to obtain a precise measurement of CO2 emission savings and efficiency at the centre.

The predicted carbon emission savings of the centre have been estimated to be 6.53 tonnes per year assuming 500kwh of heat energy per year square metre of panel, displacing a mixture of LPG and oil.

In addition, a capital grant was awarded by Leader+ in respect of its Eco-Village involving the creation of a renewable energy centre.  This reason for is due to the new building incorporating a collection of renewable energy systems as an educational and interpretation resource to help the uses of biomass, solar and, if feasible, wind and hydro systems around the centre.  Plans have been thought about which involves a wood chip district heating system.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Like with any job of this nature, even with the greatest of planning strategies, slight problems did arise during the installation process.  This job in question has been no exception and some of the crossover elements between the solar installers and the heating engineers were not as strictly defined as they could have been.  However, good and effective communication between the parties involved over came these difficulties.