Solar Panels vs. Solar Thermal

It is crucial to understand that solar photovoltaic and solar thermal are two very different technologies. As the name implies, solar thermal technology captures sunlight and converts it into heat, which is then stored and converted into electricity. Solar panels, on the other hand, utilize photovoltaic technology to capture sunlight and convert it immediately into electricity. Water heating often uses solar thermal energy.

The concept is simple: solar panels on the roof capture sunlight, heat the liquid in the tubes, and then transfer it to the cylinders for use. Solar thermal systems take up less area and are 70% more efficient at capturing the heat of the sun's rays than solar photovoltaic systems. Solar thermal technology is much simpler than solar photovoltaic technology. They are an ideal way to heat water and are also very beneficial to companies.

Apart from thermodynamic panels, which have a more adaptable system than solar thermal systems and a shorter lifespan than solar panels, solar thermal is less efficient in winter when the sun is not as intense. Finding the right supplier also requires a lot of effort. If you choose this option, you will benefit from an energy solution that is superior to other green energy sources. Although water heating is the best use of solar thermal energy, it is still considered the only water heating solution.

Solar photovoltaic panels are a relatively new technology compared to thermal energy. They come in three different types: thin film, monocrystalline, and multicrystalline. They use silicon-based technology to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. They have a very long lifespan, providing you with about 30 years of pure green energy, can meet about 60% of your home's energy needs, are extremely efficient in the summer, and won't freeze in the winter.

They also meet the needs of high-energy-consuming appliances such as dryers and refrigerators. However, they require a larger installation area than solar thermal, and the upfront costs are also quite high. Therefore, it may take a lot of effort to find the right supplier. However, just like solar thermal, choosing solar photovoltaics will provide you with a great green energy alternative

Solar thermal and solar photovoltaics are both excellent technologies that can provide you with clean, renewable energy - however, choosing one over the other can be challenging. The newest technology, solar photovoltaics, is by far the most promising technology; however, it is important to know exactly what you want, as solar thermal is ideal for water heating.

Can any house be equipped with solar panels?

How solar thermal works

Solar thermal panels use sunlight to generate heat. Solar thermal panels consist of tubes that are usually filled with antifreeze and ethylene glycol. The liquid is heated by the sun and then sent to the copper coils to reheat the hot water tank.

Other components of the system include a pump (possibly powered by PV) to move the liquid throughout the cycle and a control mechanism to prevent frozen liquid from cooling your tank on cold days.

Although the basic principles of solar thermal technology are quite simple, modern technology is required to build a system that effectively collects solar energy and converts it into hot water.

Installing solar panels is the first step in the process, converting solar energy into a usable resource.

Domestic solar water heating systems use roof-mounted collectors to collect solar energy. This energy is used to heat the fluid that passes through a sealed loop, the collectors and into the coils inside a specially made hot water cylinder. The hot water is then stored in the hot water cylinder until it is needed.

Why is solar thermal better than solar PV? Essex and Suffolk Heating and Renewable Energy

Benefits of solar thermal

Solar energy is infinitely renewable, unlike energy produced from fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil. This increases the durability of the technology and alleviates the need for owners to replace it. By reducing the amount of energy imported, using solar energy can help countries achieve energy independence.

Solar thermal energy almost completely avoids the production of pollutants such as harmful chemicals or greenhouse gases, except for the pollution produced by manufacturing the solar thermal equipment itself. Solar thermal energy provides a safe alternative to traditional energy sources, most of which produce large amounts of carbon emissions in light of growing concerns about the negative effects of climate change. Unlike heat produced by burning natural gas, heat produced by solar thermal does not emit any carbon dioxide.

Solar thermal energy requires little maintenance once it is installed. Unlike equipment that generates electricity from coal or natural gas, users can leave solar thermal equipment unused for a long time after installation. Solar thermal arrays are operated by smaller work groups than more complex power plants. Some solar thermal equipment uses simpler technology than photovoltaic panels, especially those that heat water.

How Solar Photovoltaic Power Works

Electricity is generated from sunlight using photovoltaic (PV) panels. To create an electric field, PV panels are made of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, and are divided into two layers. When sunlight contacts the electric field, the field generates a small amount of voltage.

Inverters convert the direct current (DC) from the solar panel into alternating current (AC) used by home appliances. If necessary, electricity flows from the fuse box into these devices; otherwise, it flows out to the grid.

Solar PV panels consist of multiple cells that are made up of layers of silicon or other semiconductor material. This material conducts electricity when exposed to light. These cells work even on cloudy days and do not require direct sunlight.

However, power generation increases with the intensity of solar radiation. In strong sunlight, each solar panel in a solar PV system can produce about 355W of power.

A typical system produces direct current (DC) and has about ten panels. An inverter is integrated with the system to convert the DC into alternating current, as household devices require alternating current (AC).

Benefits of Solar PV

You will immediately see a reduction in your electricity bills because the electricity you produce is initially used in your home or business, so your home or business will use less energy from the national grid. If you have a battery storage system or other self-use equipment on site, any surplus power is transmitted back to the grid.

A domestic environment can only use 40% to 60% of the on-site power generation, but commercial buildings can usually use up to 100%. By maximizing the power generated by your PV system to meet your consumer needs, you may see significant savings on your energy bills over a period of more than 25 years.

You can immediately help protect the environment by reducing your company or home’s carbon footprint by not using electricity generated from fossil fuels. Using renewable energy to power our daily activities reduces air pollution and helps us transition to a future with reduced carbon emissions. Installing a PV system is a fairly simple way to achieve this goal while also saving your business money, as many companies are looking to decarbonize or achieve “net zero carbon” status.

By purchasing a PV system, you reduce your vulnerability to rising energy prices, which are volatile and always on the rise. For more than 25 years, your PV system will continue to provide steady power, which will save you money on your electricity bills in the long term.