Solar Panels
Whilst the sight of solar panels installed on rooftops is no longer a thing of science fiction, the eco-friendly devices remain largely underused in the UK. Of course, despite the nation's miserable weather, there is enough average annual sunlight available to make solar panel systems a cost-effective solution.
There are three predominant types of solar panel systems that are sold in the United Kingdom: flat plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and photovoltaic panels. These varying kinds of solar panels are designed to perform different functions – the flat plate and evacuated tube collectors, for instance, are types of solar hot water systems, whilst photovoltaic panels are used for converting solar energy directly into electricity. Whichever system is used, however, the consumer can expect to produce at least one third of their energy requirements from the solar panels, which would result in significant savings on energy bills. Moreover, especially in respect to photovoltaic panels, more energy can be stored than can be used, in which case the surplus solar electricity (obviously not hot water) can be sold back to the National Grid. In any case, solar panels are designed to make the planet a cleaner, greener place to live and, if every home in the world could rely on solar energy, this objective would be easily achieved.
Flat Plate Collectors
Flat plate collectors are thermal solar panels that are designed specifically to heat up water via the collection of solar energy. These collectors contain the liquid that is to be directly heated by the sunlight, which passes through a coil in the water tank in order to heat up the water that is to be indirectly heated and used throughout the home's central heating system. Flat plate collectors can be made to fit the size and shape of a particular rooftop, which can also give the user more scope in purchasing a system that has a greater capacity to do its job more effectively (a larger area can absorb more sunlight).
Evacuated Tube Collectors
Evacuated tube collectors are similar to flat plate collectors in that they both comprise thermal solar panels that are designed to heat water. Furthermore, the two systems are more often than not connected to a traditional central heating system because the quantity of hot water that can be produced in an average UK household during a typical year is not sufficient to meet the total demand for hot water. Evacuated tube collectors are more efficient – and expensive – than flat plate alternatives as solar energy is collected in vacum-sealed tubes, which reduces thermal losses.
Photovoltaic Panel
Finally, photovoltaic panel systems are able to convert solar energy into electricity. This is the most commonly known application of solar energy and it is arguably the more effective solution, with a number of UK houses being able to completely power themselves using this renewable energy. Photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight before converting it into electricity via an inverter.