Do you want to reduce your utility costs and help the environment at the same time? What about using the sun to power your home? There are two different kinds of solar power that have been gaining in popularity in recent years.

Solar thermal is usually black with a matte finish. It collects heat energy from the sun and can be used to heat things. You often hear about solar hot water heaters. These are powered by solar thermal systems. The system heats water or another liquid, then the heat is transferred to water or air, or whatever you want to warm up. Commercially, solar thermal systems are used to power steam turbines. Let’s look at the pros and cons of using solar thermal in your home.

Pros

Solar thermal systems are up to 70% efficient in collecting heat energy from the sun.

The technology is dependable and less complex than photovoltaics. This translates into lower costs and shorter payback periods, typically 3-5 year.

Less roof space is required than photovoltaic solar panels.

Cons

There is less thermal energy to collect in the winter, which is when you need to heat air and water more. Conversely, they experience peak performance in warmer weather, when you need the heat less.

Solar thermal systems are not as versatile as photovoltaics. Their energy can only be used to heat things. It can’t be converted into electricity and used to power air conditioners and refrigerators.

Solar photovoltaic panels are usually blue and shiny. They collect sunlight and convert it to electricity, which can be used to power anything that runs on electricity. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this type of system.

Pros

Photovoltaic systems collect the most energy during the summer when light from the sun is stronger and lasts longer each day. This coincides with the times you need to most electricity to power air conditioners and refrigerators.

Photovoltaic panels are environmentally friendly, producing clean electricity.

Photovoltaic systems have been around for more than 30 years. If you have it professionally installed, it usually has a long warranty of 25 years or more.

Electricity produced by photovoltaics can be used to power a variety of appliances, and can offset 60% or more of your household energy needs. The number of panels determines the amount of energy collected. You can install a system to accommodate small power needs, or expand the system to produce more power. The only limit is the size of your roof, or wherever you’re going to install the panels. Often, the electric company charges you more per kilowatt when you use more power. This means that even a small system can save you a lot of money. Some power companies can even buy back the excess power produced by your solar panels.

Solar panels can protect the roof from wear. There are even panels that look like roofing materials, although they are a little pricier than the standard panels.

Cons

The upfront investment is larger and typically takes more than 10 years to pay for itself in terms of saved energy costs. The raw materials are expensive, and that translates into higher costs.

The average efficiency is still under 20%. The good news is that it is efficient to produce the energy in the same place that it’s going to be used – your home. The power company loses a lot of electricity transporting it from its sources to your house.

The roof space required is significant, often the majority of your sun-facing roof. Factors such as shade from trees and roof pitch determine how much power can be collected by each panel.

Both types of systems are better, more environmentally friendly, and in the long run, less expensive than relying on energy from fossil fuels. There are state and federal incentives to help reduce the costs. Best of all, they’re not mutually exclusive. Some homes use both types of solar energy.

Author Bio: Written by Coleen Smith Solar Panels for Sale Solar Panels Prices Alternative Energy Solutions

Category: Home Management
Keywords: solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, types of solar panels