{"id":6297,"date":"2018-05-17T16:13:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-17T16:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.portal.solar.com\/learn\/should-i-get-a-solar-thermal-system-instead-of-a-pv-system\/"},"modified":"2019-06-26T11:28:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-26T11:28:28","slug":"should-i-get-a-solar-thermal-system-instead-of-a-pv-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solar.com\/learn\/should-i-get-a-solar-thermal-system-instead-of-a-pv-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Get a Solar Thermal System Instead of a PV System?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

When you hear about installing solar, you’re most likely hearing about PV (photovoltaic) solar cell panels. They’ve become standard in the industry.<\/p>\n

PV solar cell panels were developed in the 1950s at Bell Labs<\/u><\/a> to power electronic equipment. They picked up development speed through funding during the space program.<\/p>\n

An older form of solar technology called solar thermal has been around since 1896<\/u>.<\/a> These two technologies are fascinating and have each moved solar technology forward in their own right. But when it comes to installing solar on your home, does solar thermal make sense?<\/p>\n

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the solar thermal versus PV and which makes more sense for homeowners.\n<\/p>\n

Solar Thermal Generates Heat to Warm Water<\/h2>\n

The primary use of a solar thermal system is to provide hot water through the use of solar technology.<\/p>\n

Similar to a PV solar system, solar thermal systems requires collectors or panels on the rooftop. They absorb solar energy just as PV systems but differ in what happens from there.<\/p>\n

\"Solar<\/p>\n

Solar thermal systems have a pump circulating solar fluid (water, saline or other fluids) through the collectors and deliver heat to a water storage tank.<\/p>\n

When homeowners need hot water, the solar-heated water takes precedence and either eliminates or reduces the energy needed by the boiler to heat water. This is how solar thermal reduces energy bills, as generating heat for water consumes a lot of energy.<\/p>\n

Differences Between Solar thermal and PV Solar Panels<\/h2>\n