Many people install only either solar water heaters or solar photovoltaic panels in their homes. Although this is better than not using alternative energy, it is not the best configuration you can use for maximum efficiency.
In the event you only have photovoltaic solar panels, the primary energy output will probably be electricity. Electricity is no doubt useful. It may be converted into many forms and may also be easily transmitted via a distance without significant loss. However electricity could be very inefficient when compared to various other energy setups.
For instance, to heat up home, if we were to collect solar power, convert it to electricity, store it in rechargeable batteries (or pump it to the grid), then put it to use to power the warmth pump at night, this whole process becomes very inefficient when compared with storing heat directly in heat storage for consumption during the night.
Since almost half of our energy is used for heating in your own home, all of us should consider finding a solar water heater to enhance photovoltaic solar panels.
Water has a high specific heat capacity. What this means is it can store far more heat energy than other matter per cubic volume. What this means is we do not need a lot of space (like PV panels do) in order to harvest and store heat solar energy.
On top of this, water is an element we use within our daily lives and may be stored and handled easily.
As a result, we can store domestic hot water in an insulated container during the day when the sun is shining. During the night, we can extract its heat to warm up our living spaces, for bathing and for washing. Hot water can also be used to warm up swimming pools and hot tubs. The options are almost limitless.
Solar water heaters are very effective. They can harvest more energy than photovoltaic (PV) panels and so they do not cost just as much.
You monthly power bill can be reduced even more if you use solar water heaters for heating and PV panels for electricity production. This is because efficiency improves. When this happens, your payback period and total advanced budgeting also improves. For some homes, the improvement is important.
The best way to find out how this configuration will help you is to do a calculation yourself. First, you have to find out how must energy you use for heating. This information can be found as you perform a brief energy audit for your house.
If you find that you use plenty of energy for heating, likelihood is having a solar hot water heater can make significant improvements for your solar energy setup.
Just thought you might be interested in reading this guide: photovoltaic solar panels and solar panel installation.
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