Are solar thermal panels good for domestic hot water?

In a nutshell, solar thermal panels create heat for use in domestic hot water. (By comparison, solar PV panels convert sunlight into electricity.) In the summer months, solar thermal panels could meet all or a substantial proportion of your domestic hot water demands. It is a simple, reliable technology which comes with a number of benefits.

What is solar thermal energy used for?

Solar thermal energy can be used for domestic water heating drying processes, combined heat and electricity generation in photovoltaic thermal collectors, direct and indirect electric power generation, desalination, cooling purposes, and other applications such as industrial and building indoor environments.

Are solar thermal panels a good choice for your home?

Solar thermal panels, when integrated with a modern home heating system, offer a sustainable and efficient solution to meet the energy demands of households.

Are solar thermal panels still a viable renewable technology?

"The popularity of solar thermal panels has decreased due to the costs. The ending of the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) has also impacted the uptake of solar thermal. However, when installed for the correct application, it can still be a very effective renewable technology for homes and commercial buildings," explains John Gilham.

Should solar panels be insulated?

Insulation ensures uniform savings throughout the day, while savings deriving from PV depend on solar radiation and day-hour. If, as projections suggest, PV systems become more common in future building stock, short-term energy storage will become increasingly desirable to maintain grid stability and improve generation load profile.

Can a solar thermal system heat water?

"A solar thermal system will heat any quantity of water as long as the amount of panels is sufficient," says John Gilham, group technical manager at Green Building Renewables. "They work best when the system is designed to meet the output."