Solar PV vs Solar Thermal: Which is Better?
When it comes to improving your home and making it more energy efficient, one of the best ways of being able to achieve this is through the use of solar panels. There are so many great ways of improving your home and making it better, and this is something that you need to try to make the most of as much as possible moving forward. And one of the best ways of being able to achieve this is to get solar panels installed somewhere on your property.
Now, when it comes to solar panels, the main place that people tend to have them installed is on the roof. Whether it is commercial, industrial or domestic electrical services, solar panels play an integral part in this, and they can have a major impact on the property, and allowing you to embrace a more sustainable way of life. When you are trying to focus on the best solar panels for your home, choosing between solar PV and solar thermal, and which is better, is one of the key steps you can take.
In this blog post, we are going to be looking at some of the best ways of being able to make your home better, and choose the perfect solar panel options as a result. This is something that you need to try to focus on as much as possible, and there are a lot of elements that you need to consider when it comes to making the most of this. We will also explore the importance of choosing the right industrial electrical engineer to help with this, and how Somerset Electrical Company can help you with this.
What are Solar Panels?
Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity through the use of photovoltaic cells. They are designed to capture the sun’s energy, and convert it into electricity that you can use throughout your home. These have become an integral part of more energy-efficient living these days, and it’s a wonderful option when it comes to improving your home, and making sure you are focused on being able to add more energy to the property, as well as improving this process moving forward.
You have to think about the classic options that you can use to make your home better, and this is something you need to work on as much as possible. There are so many elements that play a key role in helping you improve this as much as possible, and these are some of the key factors that will help you when it comes to making the most of this. Finding the right kind of solar energy options to make your home better is really important, and this is something that you need to try to focus on as much as possible.
Why Do People Choose to Get Solar Panels
There are so many great reasons why people might choose to “go solar” on their property, and this is a big step that can transform any home or business. One of the key things that a lot of people consider is that it is something that can be combined with testing inspections, as well as other things, such as adhering to electrical safety standards, etc. These are a few of the key reasons why people choose to get solar panels installed on their properties, but they are not the only reasons.
Perhaps the main reason why people choose to get solar panels for their home is to embrace a greener way of life, and try to make sure they save money long-term. Whilst solar panels do come with upfront costs, they are also a great way of being able to save money, and this is something that you should look to make the most of as much as you can. It is important to think about the best ways of making this work for you, and there are so many elements that play a role in this, and you need to try to focus on making this process better for your home right now.
Solar PV vs Solar Thermal – Which is Better?
The big question surrounding the choice of solar panels is, which is a better choice… solar PV or solar thermal. Determining the answer to this question will depend somewhat on your personal circumstances, and this is something that you need to consider when it comes to boosting this process. Understanding the different options and how they work is great for helping you to make the right decision here, as well as being able to benefit from outsourcing electrical services, and making sure you find the right changes for your home. Let’s check out the differences between the two:
What is Solar PV?
Solar photovoltaic is technology that works as a renewable energy system, converting sunlight into energy for use in the home or business. The panels contain photovoltaic cells which convert light into voltage. The way it works is that sunlight strikes the surface of the PV panel, and the semiconductor absorbs energy from the photons, this creates a flow of electrons, resulting in an electrical current.
Pros of Solar PV
There are several great advantages to making sure you use solar PV, and understanding these pros is one of the best things you can do here. This is a list of the core advantages that come with using solar PV:
- Can power your whole home
- You can make money from then long-term
- Renewable energy
- Lower electricity bills
- Readily accessible
- Can be put in different places on your property
Cons of Solar PV
But, like with anything there are also drawbacks to using solar PV as well, and being familiar with those is important for making an informed decision. Here are some of the disadvantages of using solar PV:
- Can look unsightly
- Upfront costs involved, which can be quite a lot
- Require you to have enough space
- May not suit the aesthetic of the rest of the home
What is Solar Thermal?
Solar thermal is the alternative option to solar panels, and basically performs the same function of converting sunlight into renewable energy. Where solar thermal differs from solar PV, however, is that they use heat-transfer fluid to capture the rays of the sun, instead of the panels used in solar PV. In this case, a heat transfer fluid collects energy from the sun, and that fluid is then used to heat the space.
Pros of Solar Thermal
Solar thermal is a more unique and interesting way of being able to utilise solar energy for your property, and understanding its advantages is a key part of making the most of this. There are so many great benefits to using solar thermal, and this is something you need to consider:
- Reduced heating bills
- Renewable energy
- Increased efficiency
- Might fit better with your property
Cons of Solar Thermal
Much like with solar PV, there are also drawbacks to using solar thermal, and you need to be familiar with what these are in order to make sure you can make a more balanced and reasoned decision. Here are some of the disadvantages to using solar thermal:
- Limited use
- Can be impractical
- Only function while sunlight is available
So Which is Better?
Of course, this is likely to come down to personal preference, but there are a lot of things that play a role in helping you to improve this process as much as possible. Choosing the right solar power for your home is really important, and there are loads of things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to making the most of this process. Overall, solar PV is likely to be the preferable choice, as this is more accessible, and more practical for your home.
Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team at Somerset Electrical Company, and we can help advise you on the best possible options when it comes to making this process better for you, and we can provide you with our experience and services to help improve this for you.
