| Solar panels utilise the free, natural, renewable | | | | use a different technology than the solar panels |
| resource - solar energy and installing solar panels will | | | | described above. These use glass solar tubes, rather |
| reduce your energy bill, your carbon footprint and your | | | | than the flat glass, and because they are tubes they |
| dependency on fossil fuels and utility companies. | | | | have the ability to absorb 360 degrees of solar |
| In this article we will discuss the various types of solar | | | | energy, which gives a more even output of power |
| panel systems that you can install on your property. | | | | throughout the day. |
| The systems in this article include water heating | | | | PV Solar Panels |
| systems, evacuated solar tubes and PV electric solar | | | | These systems generate electricity from daylight |
| panels. | | | | through a process called photovoltaic's. The "photo" |
| Water Heating Solar Panels | | | | refers to light and "voltaic" refers to electricity. Although |
| These solar systems work all year round and heat | | | | these solar panels generate their electricity from light |
| your domestic hot water. A hot water tank or a | | | | they can still work on cloudy days as the photons |
| conventional boiler is used to heat the water even | | | | penetrate through the clouds. If you want to fully |
| further if required or if there is low solar energy. It is | | | | benefit from solar energy then PV solar panels are |
| recommended to install a super efficient hot water | | | | what you need. Using these panels you can get a |
| tank to fully receive the benefits of solar water heating | | | | Feed-in Tariff where you get paid for every unit of |
| systems and if you have a combination boiler without | | | | electricity you generate even the ones you use. |
| a hot water tank then solar water heating may not be | | | | Because of the feed-in tariff your energy bills will be |
| compatible. | | | | reduced by up to 100 percent. |
| With water heating solar systems it is possible to save | | | | Not only will feed-in tariffs benefit you from your PV |
| over half a ton of CO2 emissions, dependant on the | | | | solar panel installation, the systems can also increase |
| fuel you will be replacing e.g. gas and up to £100 | | | | the value of your property. Furthermore the average |
| on you water heating bill. Water heating solar systems | | | | household uses 3000 kWh per year, so if you install a |
| generally provide higher annual outputs than evacuated | | | | small 1kW system you will save 25% of your |
| tubes. | | | | electricity over the year because a PV system |
| Evacuated Solar Tubes | | | | generally would generate 750 kWh/year per kW |
| These systems are also for heating your water, but | | | | installed. |