Solar thermal energy, or solar water heating, is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way of generating your own hot water through solar panels, working in conjunction with your existing heating system. The concept isn’t new – Solar hot water Systems have been around since the 1970’s – but recent technological advances have led to a far greater selection of equipment which can be tailored to suit the needs of each application. Here’re some answers to some common questions if you’re considering solar hot water heating for your home.
How efficient are solar panels at heating water?
The amount of water heating which can be provided by solar panels is, of course, dependent upon the efficiency of the solar panels themselves. The better the solar panel is at capturing, storing and converting solar energy, the better able they will be to provide the energy required to meet the hot water needs of a given household.
How do they work?
Solar panel hot water systems, of the sort provided by installers like Mark Group (a United Kingdom company with offices in the United States as well), work by harnessing the power of the sun in order to generate electricity. This electricity is then used to heat water contained in a storage tank. No pump is required, as hot water will naturally rise into the tank of its own accord.
How much energy is produced?
The amount of energy produced by solar panel hot water systems is dependent upon a number of factors. If the house in question is located in a warm, predominantly sunny location, the amount of energy which is generated annually will be considerably higher than that generated by a system attached to a structure in a more temperate location. These figures can be anywhere between 7 kWh/meters squared and 3.2 kWh/meters squared per day.
The amount of energy generated by a solar panel is also dependent upon the shape and size of the panel in question, which will of course have a resultant effect on how much water heat is produced. Double sided panels generate more energy than traditional single sided panels, and 3D solar panels are capable of producing up to 20 times more energy than flat panels.
How much money can you save?
The average solar panel hot water heating system will be able to account for approximately one third of a household’s hot water requirements. This means that, every year, you would expect to see your hot water bill reduced by a third. However some solar panel systems provide a greater reduction, thanks to significantly improved technology. And, in addition, there are certain financial incentives which are available from the government, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive Payment scheme, which provides homeowners with a sum of money that can help towards the cost of installation.
What are the downsides to solar panel hot water systems?
Solar panels are great efficiency measures, however they do have some downsides. With regards to hot water heating, a homeowner should never rely solely on a solar panel system to meet their needs. A hot water boiler will still be required, particularly on overcast days. In addition, if you are unable to secure your solar panels in an optimal location – south facing and free from shade – then you may experience significant reductions in the amount of energy your solar panel hot water system is able to generate. And finally, if you tend to use more hot water in the morning, you may need to install a larger cylinder which allows for greater storage capacity – thereby adding to the overall cost of your solar panel hot water system.
Scott Bille says
Thanks for the info. Do you have information about using solar to heat the water in a hot water radiator or radiant floor heating system?