Combining Stored Hot Water and Combi boiler systems

[AndyWhitelaw]

I have a fairly new fit combi boiler in my house but I am planning to fit solar panels and a woodburning stove with a back boiler.
The panels and stove require a hot water tank that my boiler will not support.
Is there a 'standard way' to mix these two systems?

I was planning on having the two heat sources feeding the hot water system via a motorised valve controlled by a thermostat on the hot water tank. In the event of the tank water being colder than the set temperature then the valve would switch to the combi and visa-versa.
Hopefully this will permit the two systems to feed into my taps and shower.

Does this sound plausible? It is definitely preferable (and cheaper) to ripping out a 2 year old boiler to convert the system to store hot water.

 

[simond]

Woodburners need to be open vented, most combis are sealed.

The only way to link them properly would be a thermal store/heatbank. Not cheap, takes a lot of space and weight.

 

[BigBurner]

Thermal storage is the way. A heat banks can have a solar coil fitted in readiness for solar panels.
For further info see: http://www.heatweb.com for info and sizing tools for cylinder.

Look at these. They do custom made stainless steel thermal stores:
http://www.advanceappliances.co.uk/

Also:
http://www.gledhill.net/
Look at Boilernate and Torrent

http://www.gledhill.net/building-products/product-index/pdfs/torrent-solar-dia.pdf

The CH side of a combi is a normal boiler. The water section can be ignored and couple the boiler up to a heat bank/thermal store as per a normal boiler. Well you could keep the DHW section connected and have a 1/4 turn isolation valve to bring it back on if the thermal store is down for any reason. That is what I would do.