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Why go solar?
First, decide which system is right for you
Solar panels are of two types: solar photovoltaic, which generate electricity, and solar thermal, which heat water.The two functions are best performed separately.
Both solar water heating and solar PV will:
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Save on fuel bills and reduce your exposure to future rises in fuel prices
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Earn money from the government
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Cut carbon emissions
The two technologies compared in a domestic setting
Solar photovoltaic |
Solar water heating |
|
Energy used for: |
Local demand + National Grid |
Local hot water needs |
Orientation: |
Between SE and SW |
Between E and W |
Shading: |
Must be unshaded |
Shading permissible |
Efficiency: |
10-20% |
60-80% |
Typical area (domestic): |
10-25 sq. m |
4-5 sq. m |
Location: |
Not critical |
< 10 m to water cylinder |
Size determined by: |
Roof space, available capital |
Hot water demand |
Government support: |
Feed in Tariffs (FIT) |
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) |
Support from: |
1 April 2010 |
July 2011 |
Typical cost: |
£8,000 - £15,000 |
£4,000 - £5000 |
Savings & benefits |
8-12% of cost p.a. (incl. FIT) |
£200-£400 p.a. (excl. RHI) |
The key difference is that with PV panels, any energy not used at the site is exported to the National Grid, whereas with solar thermal panels all the energy is used locally.Thus choosing a PV system is determined more by roof space and capital available; in contrast the size, and hence cost, of a solar thermal system is determined by the hot water demand at the property. Other key differences are that solar photovoltaic needs much larger areas and is much less forgiving of less than optimal sites than solar thermal.