Solar Energy Panels

These are solar panels that directly capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. A photovoltaic installation usually includes several photovoltaic solar panels, an inverter, batteries and wiring. If you know a bit of DIY, you can install a system yourself. For more details click here.

Solar thermal

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

Although this also applies to hot water solar 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 solar 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 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.

You can get more detailed information on solar energy panels for heating water here.

Useful resources

Are you tired of soaring fuel bills? Would you like your very own solar power system for under $200/£100 that will save you 80% on your electricity bill and help the environment? If the answer is 'YES' then click here for more information.

Click on our solar power gadgets for great gift ideas.

To return to our facts about solar energy page.

To return to our solar energy home page.