solar panels uses

There are several types of solar panels, involving different uses. Solar panels uses include hot-water heating, pool heating, space heating (thermal panels) and also solar electricity (photovoltaic panels). As to the types of thermal solar panels they can be flat or tube...

There are solar PV panels (for power generation) and solar thermal panels (for water heating, air heating and air cooling). Thermal panels include three different types of solar panels: 1) flat-glazed, 2) flat-unglazed and 3) tube solar panels.

When choosing the type of thermal solar panel - flat-unglazed, flat-glazed, tube solar panels... - take into account their uses, prices and your climate zone.

As for PV solar panels uses, see: Photovoltaic technology

Prices

As we pass from 1) unglazed flat solar panels to 2) glazed flat solar panels and on to 3) tube solar panels (evacuated-tube panels) there is a price increase.

We can use tube solar panels in swimming pools heating, but it will be more expensive. Tube solar panels are more efficient (30% or so) than unglazed flat panels, but these are a lot cheaper and with some extra surface we can get the same effectiveness of tube solar panels paying less.

Similarly, we can also use tube solar panels in domestic water heating, but the increasing in the efficiency doesn’t justify the difference of price in many climates.

thermal solar panels Uses

Since choice depends greatly on 1) prices, 2) temperatures 3) climate and 4) intended uses, it is possible to draw some rough conclusions about the "best" solar panel:

Unglazed Flat Solar Panels

They are used in swimming pools and simple space heating (solar air heaters, designed just to heat a room or a small part of the house). Unglazed flat panels are used in solar applications demanding low temperatures.

They have a wide range of specific applications in sunny climates, where they can replace other more expensive types of solar panels.

Unglazed Solar Panels for air space heating uses Image: EERE

Flat Glazed Solar Panels

These type of solar panels are mainly used in air space heating, namely in forced air systems.

They have some advantages over solar liquid-flat panels (they can produce heat earlier and later in the day than liquid systems, and they do not freeze...) but they are also less efficient than liquid panels, which makes their range of applications narrower.

Flat Solar Glazed Panels Uses

These solar panels are mainly used in domestic water heating systems and central heating solutions (integrated systems involving forced air systems and radiant heating). They are a flexible, tested and competitive option, mainly in moderate climates.

Tube Solar Panels Uses

Tube solar panels share most of the uses of flat glazed. They are the best solution for more demanding applications and colder climates.

Recent trends show an increasing use of this type of solar panels in cold and cloudy climates but also in moderate climates.

PV Solar Panels Uses

As said before, solar electricity involves another type of solar panels: the PV solar panels. See: Photovoltaic technology and Photovoltaic solutions