| What are Solar Water Heating Panels? | | | | commonly used in the UK, flat plate panels |
| | | | and evacuated tube collectors. |
| Confused about Solar? Many people seem to be | | | | |
| a little confused as to how solar panels | | | | Flat Plate Panels vs Evacuated Tube Solar |
| actually work. This misunderstanding | | | | Collectors |
| however, is perfectly reasonable and stems | | | | |
| from the general acceptance of solar panels | | | | Evacuated tube solar collectors are typically |
| on things like calculators or garden lamps. | | | | more efficient than flat plate collectors. |
| These types of solar panels are called | | | | This does not necessarily mean that evacuated |
| photovoltaic solar panels or PV Solar Panels | | | | tubes can produce more hot water just that |
| and we will discuss these in more detail in | | | | the panel area can be reduced. Typically you |
| another article. For now, it is worth | | | | will find that for a flat plate collector |
| explaining about the panels that people are | | | | area of 4m2, evacuated tubes need |
| less familiar with but give the greatest | | | | approximately 3m2 for the same size hot water |
| opportunity to reduce household fuel costs. | | | | tank. With this in mind, the amount of hot |
| These panels are called Solar Water Heating | | | | water generated throughout the year will be |
| Panels. | | | | very similar. |
| | | | |
| Solar Water Heating Panels | | | | An independent study by the DTI compared a |
| | | | number of different types of system and the |
| Solar Water Heating Panels use the suns | | | | panel that produced the most hot water was of |
| radiation to heat water in panels. This | | | | the flat plate variety. |
| panel is connected to your hot water storage | | | | |
| tank. When the temperature in your tank is | | | | The cost of the panels are now fairly |
| lower than that of the panel on your roof the | | | | similar, but some people believe that flat |
| water is pumped out of the roof panel through | | | | plate solar collectors are more aesthetically |
| a heating coil in your hot water tank. This | | | | pleasing. However, technically the evacuated |
| heats the water in your storage tank. When | | | | tubes have a significantly higher output than |
| it is cold and dull outside the pumps leaves | | | | flat plate systems when the ambient |
| the cold water in the roof panel and your | | | | temperature is low, i.e. in winter. |
| storage tank is heating with your | | | | |
| conventional boiler. This simple but | | | | So in summary, where roof area is an issue |
| effective system is typically capable of | | | | evacuated tubes are the best option. |
| heating up to 70% of your annual requirement | | | | Otherwise, you should consider both evacuated |
| for domestic hot water. Given this fact it | | | | tubes and flat plate collectors. |
| is probably the most cost effective and way | | | | |
| of installing a renewable energy system in | | | | Typically, properly specified solar water |
| your home. | | | | heating systems will pay for them selfs in |
| | | | around 10 years. |
| There are two type of solar collectors/panels | | | | |