Solar thermal collectors absorb the sun’s rays and change them to heat to make hot water. It’s an eco-friendly way to heat water for use around a property. It’s important to understand that while both solar panels and solar thermals gather energy from the sun, they are two very different technologies.
Consider the hot water requirements of the household or business. A general rule of thumb is to allow 1m² of solar collector area for each person living in the building. Limited use – While they can heat water, solar thermal collectors cannot generate electricity or heat rooms.
On account of their diverse designs, solar collectors can be installed in almost any building concept, in new build as well as in modernisation projects, either on the building or close by. They can be installed on pitched roofs, flat roofs and on walls, as well as freestanding on the ground, as required.
Solar collectors form the core of a solar thermal system. As their name suggests, they collect the sun's rays. This is then followed by conversion into usable heat, which can then be used to heat domestic hot water or as a central heating backup in the home.
You can expect the average solar thermal installation to take between 1-2 days from start to finish. Some large or awkward installations may take longer. What types of Solar Thermal can be installed? Two types of solar thermal panels are available - evacuated tube collectors and flat plate collectors.
A study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) indicates that solar thermal collector systems can cover between 50% and 80% of the hot water needs in a typical home depending on the geographic location and the efficiency of the system.