| Solar Thermal Collectors | | | | to as a "passive" system and is typically found in |
| Solar thermal collectors are specifically designed and | | | | sunnier climates. The basic purpose of this system is |
| constructed for the purposes of collecting and storing | | | | to use flat hot water solar panels which are set up in a |
| heat in order to heat water. The hot water solar | | | | fixed position in order to collect the most amounts of |
| panels is the key component of the solar thermal | | | | sunlight and heat possible. |
| collector. These collect heat and light from the sun in | | | | The best way to achieve maximum efficiency with |
| order to provide the energy needed to heat water. | | | | this type of system is to arrange the hot water solar |
| The terminology "solar thermal collector" applies to hot | | | | panels so that they are facing the sun. Additionally, |
| water solar panels although it is oftentimes used to | | | | they are set up at a specific angle or slope facing the |
| apply to more complex applications. The following are | | | | horizon plus an additional tilt of 10°. Solar thermal |
| three of the more common types of solar thermal | | | | collectors are normally classified into 2 categories, |
| collectors: | | | | specifically concentrating and non-concentrating. With |
| - Solar parabolics | | | | non-concentrating types, the absorbing and collection |
| - Solar towers | | | | areas are basically the same, meaning that the entire |
| - Solar troughs | | | | hot water solar panel functions to absorb the sun's |
| These types of solar panels are generally found in | | | | light. |
| industrialised or larger facilities such as solar power | | | | The benefits of using hot water solar panels |
| plants which demand electricity for heating water and | | | | There are numerous benefits to using hot water solar |
| generated by employing a solar energy array. These | | | | panels but the most significant benefit is that it cuts |
| typically drive a turbine which is wired to an electrical | | | | down on your monthly electrical bill and saves you |
| generator. | | | | money in the long run. Granted the initial outlay is a |
| Hot Water Solar Panels | | | | costly one depending on how much hot water you |
| The most common water solar panel is a flat panel | | | | require, but once that initial investment has been |
| and is normally used to create hot water. The basic | | | | recouped, solar energy is essential free. The other big |
| construction of these panels contains an absorbent | | | | plus is that solar energy is non-polluting and does not |
| sheet made of black metal placed inside an insulated | | | | harm the environment unlike when fossil fuels are used |
| box that has been weatherproofed. A series of built-in | | | | to generate power. |
| pipes are placed within the path of the sun's light. | | | | Not only does the use of solar energy decrease the |
| Water in these pipes is heated up by solar energy | | | | dependency on fossil fuel generated energy, it also |
| causing it circulates throughout the solar energy | | | | decreases the dependency on international sources |
| system. | | | | for these fuels and the costs associated with them. |
| Once the process is finished, the water is then | | | | This makes it economically feasible as well, especially |
| transferred into a storage tank that is situated above | | | | when you consider that this does create more jobs. |
| the collector. This type of system is normally referred | | | | |