What are solar thermal panels?

Solar thermal panels, or solar water heating panels as they are also known, are panels that simply transfer natural light into heat.

Their main purpose is essentially to produce a source of heat that can be used to warm water for your home. These panels can work in conjunction with other renewable systems such as solar PV panels and heat pumps, but can also work alone, too. The most popular type of panels look like large glass black tubes that are filled with water and antifreeze and mounted onto your roof tiles. However, you can also get flat plate panels that look more like your typical solar PV panels.

Solar thermal panels are especially important for homes that have a heated swimming pool, but are a great source of renewable energy for showering, bathing, and for hot taps in any home.

How do solar panels work?

When exposed to sunlight, solar thermal panels heat up the liquid inside of them which then warms up the water within your water tank or cylinder – which is why they’re best placed somewhere like a roof that enjoys constant sunlight, preferably south-facing.

They are, in fact, much more efficient at their job than solar PV panels, and can turn up to a huge 90% of the sun’s radiation into heat! This means that you don’t generally need as many panels on your roof and so they don’t take up as much space.

These thermal panels can save you money on your monthly household bills and reduce your carbon footprint. However, in the colder winter months without much sunlight, you may also have to use them alongside a gas central heating system.

Benefits of solar thermal panels

Renewable energy souce

Solar thermal panels utilise sunlight, a renewable resource, to generate heat energy. Unlike fossil fuels, sunlight is abundant and inexhaustible, making solar thermal panels a sustainable option for heating water and spaces.

Reduced Energy Bills

By harnessing solar energy to heat water for domestic use or space heating, homeowners can significantly lower their energy bills. Solar thermal panels help offset the need for conventional heating methods powered by electricity, gas, or oil, leading to long-term savings on utility costs.

Environmental Benefits

Solar thermal panels produce clean energy without emitting greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, solar thermal technology contributes to mitigating climate change and improving air quality, thereby promoting environmental sustainability.

Energy Independence

Installing solar thermal panels provides homeowners with greater energy independence. By generating heat energy from sunlight on-site, homeowners can reduce their dependence on external energy suppliers and insulate themselves from rising energy prices or disruptions in supply, enhancing energy security and resilience.