Merging Two Homes into One: Tips on HVAC Systems

Comparing Evacuated Tube And Flat Plate Solar Panels

Evacuated tube and flat plate solar panels are the two main types of solar panels that are used for solar heating installations, and can heat your home's water and air temperature throughout the year through the power of the sun. Despite working to accomplish the same purpose, both types of solar panels work in different ways, and as such have a number of different advantages and disadvantages when compared with each other. Understanding the differences between these two types of solar panels can help you choose the one that is best suited for your home's needs.

Flat Plate Solar Panels

Flat plate solar panels are the more common type of solar panel available on the market, and are the traditional, flat black surfaces that most people think of when they think of solar panels. Flat plate solar panels are designed to absorb as much solar energy as possible without reflecting very much sunlight.

Flat plate solar panels are the cheaper of the two solar panels, and offer low maintenance and repair costs. Additionally, they are very easy to clean, as they are a flat surface that can be easily cleaned with a hose and soapy water. These solar panels are best suited for use in tandem with an already existing heating system, or for those who are operating under a tight budget and are looking for a way to cut down on long term energy bills. It should be noted that flat plate panels do not perform very well in low light conditions, and are must be positioned properly in order to generate any sort of significant power.

Evacuated Tube Solar Panels

Evacuated tube solar panels are made out of a collection of empty tubes, which contain a vacuum. This provides excellent insulation, and prevents any significant heat loss, greatly increasing the amount of solar energy captured by these solar panels when compared to flat plate solar panels. Evacuated tube solar panels take up much less space to produce the same amount of energy when compared to flat plate panels, and can even operate in poor sunlight conditions, which can be ideal for people living in certain climates.

The major downside of evacuated tube solar panels is the fact that they cost appreciably more than flat plate solar panels, and are much harder to maintain as they have vacuum tubes which have to be specially serviced in order to continue working properly. This drives up the long run maintenance costs, which means that they are not the right fit for those looking for an inexpensive way to reduce their energy bills. To learn more, visit John Legg's Heating & Air Conditioning


Share