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When evaluating solar thermal technology and deciding between thermal vs solar PV, it is helpful to know the benefits of all solar panels. Ultimately, users want to capitalise on solar power to reduce energy bills, but there are many types of solar panels to consider.
The right solar thermal system for one household might not be the best solar power solution for another. At Panelit Solar, we understand the impact of installing solar panels, so before you decide between solar photovoltaic or thermal panels, we'll show you the best option for installing solar panels.
Here is a bullet point list of pros for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, and there is a lot to like about solar PV panels.
Renewable: Solar PV energy is derived from sunlight, which is a renewable and abundant source of energy, making solar PV systems a sustainable option for power generation.
Clean and emissions-free: Solar PV does not produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions during its operation, helping to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.
Low operating costs: Once installed, solar PV technology requires minimal ongoing maintenance, resulting in relatively low operating costs compared to other energy sources.
Energy savings: Solar PV panels allow homeowners and businesses to generate their own electricity, which can result in significant energy savings on monthly utility bills over the system's lifespan.
Scalable and modular: A solar PV system can be easily scaled up or down to match the energy needs of a home or business, making them highly flexible and adaptable to various applications.
Diverse applications: Solar PV systems are suitable for a wide range of applications, including grid-tied systems, off-grid systems, and remote power generation for areas without access to electricity.
Here is a bullet point list of pros for a solar thermal panel, helping you decide what is between solar thermal vs the other options.
Efficient heating: Solar thermal systems use sunlight to directly heat water or other fluids, making them highly efficient for providing hot water for domestic and industrial applications. These domestic solar panels deliver hot water boosted by the sun's energy!
Renewable and clean: Solar thermal energy is derived from sunlight, which is a renewable and abundant source of energy, and it does not produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions during its operation, making it a clean energy option.
Energy savings: Solar thermal solutions can significantly reduce energy costs associated with heating water for various applications, such as domestic hot water, space heating, and pool heating, resulting in potential energy savings.
Long lifespan: Solar thermal panels have a long operational lifespan, typically lasting 20 to 30 years or more with proper maintenance, providing a reliable source of energy for an extended period.
Scalable and adaptable: Solar thermals can be designed and installed to suit various applications and can be easily scaled up or down based on the specific requirements of a building or facility.
Incentives and rebates: Many regions and countries offer incentives, rebates, and tax credits for installing solar thermal energy systems.
Here is a bullet point list of pros for hybrid solar energy systems. For most of these points, the overall utility depends on the combination of solar PV and solar thermal components.
Efficient and versatile: Hybrid solar systems combine the benefits of both solar PV and solar thermal technologies, allowing for efficient electricity generation and heat production for a wide range of applications.
Energy Savings: Hybrid solar systems can provide both electricity and heat, which can result in potential energy savings by offsetting electricity and/or fossil fuel consumption for heating needs.
Renewable And Clean: Hybrid solar systems use sunlight, a renewable and clean energy source, for generating electricity and heat, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
Increased System Efficiency: By using both solar PV and solar thermal technologies, hybrid solar systems can achieve higher overall system efficiency compared to standalone solar PV or solar thermal solutions, maximising energy production.
Flexibility And Scalability: Hybrid solar systems can be designed and configured to suit various applications and energy demands, and can be easily scaled up or down based on specific requirements.
Incentives and rebates: Many regions and countries offer incentives, rebates, and tax credits for installing hybrid solar systems, which can help offset the initial costs and provide financial benefits.
Here is a comparison of solar PV, solar thermal, and hybrid solar systems based on the criteria listed above:
Solar PV panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into usable power using photovoltaic cells. Solar thermal generates heat by using sunlight to directly heat water or other fluids for heating purposes.
Solar PV is suitable for a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial, with flexibility in system size and configuration. Solar thermal is suitable primarily for water heating and space heating applications and may require larger space for installation. Hybrid Solar is suitable for applications that require both electricity and heat, such as buildings with high energy demand for both power and heating.
Solar PV panels typically have high efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity but may vary based on panel type, orientation, and shading. Solar thermal can have high efficiency in converting sunlight into heat, especially for direct solar water heating systems.
Solar PV can offset electricity consumption from the grid, resulting in potential energy savings on electricity bills. Solar thermal panels offset fossil fuel consumption for warming water or space heating, resulting in potential energy savings on heating bills. Hybrid solar can offset both electricity and fossil fuel consumption, resulting in potential energy savings on both electricity and heating bills. You can also check out our post on how much electricity do solar panels produce.
Solar PV panels are environmentally friendly as they produce clean electricity with no greenhouse gas emissions during operation Solar thermal panels have lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuel-based heating systems, but may still have some emissions during operation. Hybrid solar impact depends on the performance of both solar PV and solar thermal components and their impact on the environment.
Solar PV offers low maintenance requirements, including cleaning and occasional inspection of panels and components. Solar thermal panels require regular maintenance, such as cleaning and inspection of collectors, pumps, and storage tanks.
Solar PV panels have moderate to high upfront costs, including the cost of panels, inverters, installation labour, permits, and other associated expenses. Solar thermal generally has lower upfront costs compared to solar PV, as it requires fewer components and simpler installation. With hybrid solar, the upfront costs can vary depending on the specific configuration and components used for the hybrid system.
Solar PV requires roof space or ground area for installation of panels, with flexibility in system size and configuration. Solar thermal requires more space on a roof or ground area for installation of collectors and storage tanks, which may be larger compared to solar PV. Hybrid solar requires space for both solar PV panels and solar thermal collectors, which may impact the overall space requirements.
Solar PV typically has a long lifespan of 25-30 years or more, with durable components such as panels and inverters. Solar thermal has a similar lifespan as solar PV, with durable components such as collectors and storage tanks.
Solar PV panels offer flexibility in system size, configuration, and scalability, and can be installed in various locations and orientations. Solar thermal panels have limitations in system size and configuration, depending on the available space and heating requirements. Hybrid solar provides flexibility in combining both solar PV and solar thermal technologies to meet specific electricity and heating needs.
Electricity generation: Solar PV is primarily used for generating electricity, making it a better option when the primary goal is to create electricity for powering electrical appliances, lighting, or other electricity-dependent applications. You can even generate excess electricity beyond what you use as your own electrical energy.
By selling back excess energy to energy suppliers and the national grid, you have a renewable energy source that pays you according to the smart export guarantee. Of course, if you have battery storage, you don't need to worry about a shorter lifespan, you can store sun rays and the sun's heat for later. Capitalising on solar energy on times when it isn't sunny is indicative of how solar panels are truly renewable energy. If you're interested in storage batteries cost, be sure to read our informative post for further details.
High Solar Insolation: In areas with abundant sunlight, solar rays and high solar insolation, solar PV may be more efficient and cost-effective compared to solar thermal, as it directly converts sunlight into electricity without the need for additional heat transfer or storage systems.
Roof Space Availability: Solar PV panels are typically smaller and require less space compared to many solar system solutions, solar towers, or solar thermal collectors, making them a better option when space availability is limited, such as in urban areas or on rooftops with limited surface area. If you're curious about how many panels will be necessary for your specific setup, we encourage you to read our blog article titled "How Many Solar Panels Do I Need."
Other areas where solar PV cells and systems perform well include:
Heating water: Thermal systems are specifically designed for warming water, making them a better option for applications such as domestic hot water, pool heating, or industrial processes that require a significant amount of hot water.
Higher Efficiency For Heat-Intensive Applications: Solar thermal systems are generally more efficient for heat-intensive applications compared to solar PV, as they directly collect and store heat energy without the need for additional conversions.
This makes them more suitable for applications that require high-temperature heat, such as industrial processes or space heating in colder climates.
Thermal Energy Storage: Solar thermal solutions can store excess heat energy in thermal storage tanks, allowing for the on-demand use of hot water or heat even when sunlight is not available. This can be particularly advantageous in applications that require consistent and continuous hot water or heat supply.
Other areas where solar thermal panels performs well include:
Dual-energy production: Hybrid solar systems can generate both electricity and heat simultaneously, making them a better option when both electricity and heat are required, such as in applications that require both hot water and electricity, or for combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
Energy efficiency: Hybrid solar systems can achieve higher energy efficiency compared to standalone solar PV or solar thermal set-ups, as they can capture and use both solar radiation and waste heat, thereby maximising overall energy utilisation and reducing energy waste.
Space utilisation: Hybrid solar systems can optimise space utilisation by combining both electricity generation (via PV panels) and heat collection (via thermal collectors) in a single system, making them a better option when space availability is limited or when integrating with existing infrastructure.
Other areas where hybrid solar performs well include:
Whether you are installing solar PV panels or need more information about thermal vs solar PV, we can help you out. We know you want to lower your energy bills, and that solar panels are a great way of doing so.
Don't let talk of solar photovoltaic or solar panel issues put you off, our guide to hybrid, thermal, and solar PV solutions ensures you have all the information you need when it comes to deciding what solar panels are best for you.
