Solar Thermal
Solar Thermal panels are usually used to warm water. Solar thermal panels however are not usually used for space heating. This is because the heat collected from the panels is usually at its lowest when heating demands are at their highest.
Hot water heating accounts for about 25% of domestic energy use. In the Welsh climate solar energy can be used to heat water for about 8 months of the year. Solar hot water heating is also suitable for commercial properties that have a high demand for hot water such as hotels, swimming pools and dairy farms.
A domestic solar hot water system consists of a collector, a cylinder to store the hot water, pipe work and controls.
Solar thermal plants which convert heat into electricity are also being developed.
