What is the difference between solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV)?
Solar thermal panels heat water. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight to electricity. This is one of the most frequently asked questions concerning solar from the homeowner perspective. Which type of thermal panel is better: Flat panel or evacuated tube type collectors? The answer to this question depends on many factors specific to each installation. Here are some of the pros and cons to each type of panel: Evacuated tubes Pros: Evacuated tube technology is the newer and more technologically advanced type of solar thermal panel. Evacuated tube panels have been manufactured since the early 1980’s, but don’t date back as far as the flat panels. The vacuum created between the two layers of glass is a near-perfect insulator. It is beneficial to have a translucent insulator like air to ensure the most amount of sunlight is captured. Evacuated tubes have the best thermal efficiency throughout the year. An evacuated tube array can easily be put on a roof by one installer. Each tube can be ca
