Solar Hot Water: Which is better, PV or Thermal?

Date: September 30th, 2013

Solar thermal water heating is a temperamental thing. (Originally published on the Hal Slater website). Water weighs a lot, it expands when it freezes, and it can cause scaling damage to pipes when it boils. Solar thermal systems are wonderfully efficient, and some systems work just fine for decades, but even these need regular inspection. When a solar thermal system fails, however, it sets about destroying itself, and it has been clear for some time that solar thermal water heating is not the way of the future except for very low-end heat usage, like swimming pools.

Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2013/09/30/pv-better-thermal-solar-water-heating/#gb1JEYoIccAjT6Be.99