Solar Energy Panels

There are a few different types of solar power panels.

There solar photovolaic (PV), solar thermal and solar water heaters.

Solar photovolaic

These are panels that directly capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. A photovoltaic installation usually includes several photovoltaic panels, an inverter, batteries and wiring.

Solar thermal

These are solar collectors which absorb the sunlight to collect heat.

Although this also applies to solar hot water panels, the term is usually used for more complex systems. There are various types of solar thermal collectors, such as solar towers, solar trough and solar parabolic.

These type of panels are generally used in large power plants where electricity is generated by heating water to produce steam and driving a turbine connected to the electrical generator.

Solar water heaters

These are solar collectors which capture the sunlight, which in turn heat your water.

This type of solar power panel is very popular in homes. It is the most efficient type of solar power.

Although installation costs can be quite high - £2000 ($4000) - if you have a basic grasp of DIY then you can install it yourself.

We sell these solar energy panels in special ready-to-go DIY kits which includes everything you need.

Useful resources

Click on our solar power gadgets for great gift ideas.

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