What are the benefits and drawbacks of powering my system with a photovoltaic panel?
It is theoretically possible to use a PV panel to determine when the circulating pump switches in and out, thereby avoiding the need for a temperature difference controller. The simple idea is that the PV panel only produces enough power to run the pump when the sun is shining and that the sun must therefore be creating heat in your solar panel. However, in practice, it is very difficult to ensure that the pump is being switched on at the most efficient time and you may actually be pumping heat out of your tank at some stages of the day. Most users report a need for extensive testing and experimentation to use this method satisfactorily. PV panels are still relatively expensive, compared to the savings in electricity they produce. For example, my own system is mains-powered, running one of our Controllers and a 7 watt pump from a mains adaptor, at a measured cost of just 7p per week (£3.50 per annum) in electricity. Replacing the mains with a PV panel would represent a very long paybac
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