About   |   Contact   |   Home       What is a Pv System? A photovoltaic panel (PV) is a device which converts photons from the sun (solar light) directly into electricity. A PV panel has many photovoltaic cells which consist of one or two layers of semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. There are a number of different kinds of PV panel, we have a number of units to suit your power and size requirements. The technology is relatively easy to implement. A panel is needed facing the sun (on the roof), and then a wire taken to an inverter to connect it to the building supply. If the building is using all that is generated from the panel then that amount is saved directly from the electricity bill. If there is “spare” power being generated then this is taken back to the grid. There are export tariffs which can be used to charge for the power being exported. Generated power can also be stored in a battery system and used when needed, e.g. store the power in the day and use at night, or simply heat water directly from the panel with a low voltage Immersion heater. What is a Solar Thermal Heat System? Solar Thermal Heat Systems use sunlight to heat water. These systems may be used to heat domestic hot water or for space heating. These systems are composed of solar thermal collectors & a storage tank with the three basic classifications :   Active systems, which use pumps to circulate water or a heat transfer fluid. A solar thermal hot water panel heats water in a cylinder which is heated up via a heat exchanger in the cylinder, which then goes directly from the cylinder to taps throughout the house, with a second coil in the cylinder being heated from the boiler which can be used to top up hot water on cloudy days or at night. Solar Panel Technical Information (Word) Solar thermal panels can also be used to heat the house throughout by connecting the solar heat panel to under floor heating. The problem with Solar Panels and space heating is you need the most space heating in the winter when the sun is at its weakest. A solar thermal hot water system can some times be connected to an existing cylinder. Where this is not possible a new tank would have to be installed. Passive systems, which circulate water or a heat transfer fluid by natural circulation. These are also called Thermosiphon systems. To make these systems work, the panel needs to be mounted below the storage tank. Batch systems, using a tank directly heated by sunlight. These are normally used in countries which do not have frost conditions. The tank is normally mounted on top of the collectors on the roof and hence also gives good hot water pressure.