Solar baseboard heating

Baseboards and other radiators demand hot water at temperatures of 150º-160º F (65º-71ºC) which are difficult to achieve in winter time conditions with solar powered systems alone.

Solar baseboard heating requirements

The only way to make solar baseboard heating truly operational is by using a powerful water heater or boiler as a backup to the solar hot water system, that is, to rise the temperature of the preheated solar water.

For a design and a solution of this type, see: Solar Backup All-In-One

Compatibility issues

When designing a solar baseboard heating system pay attention to compatibility. Integrating a solar water system with a gas water heater (or boiler) isn't a simple plug-and-play operation.

Only some models of gas heaters and boilers are compatible with solar systems. And some adaptations or modifications to the existing system may be needed to achieve compatibility. See, on this issue: Solar Backup.

Electric Baseboards & Solar PV systems

Electric baseboards can be powered by solar photovoltaics (solar electricity), and that can undoubtely be a good option for small needs and for remote places (see: Electric baseboards).

But this solution isn't - by now - a competitive or a truly eco-friendly alternative for larger uses. Electric resistance heating involves a very low initial investment but, on the other hand, demands large amounts of power to run, and consequently a too large and a too costly photovoltaic system...

For larger uses, solar hydronic (involving hot water baseboards and solar hot water) is a better solution.

Solar Baseboard Heating: Advantageous or not?

Solar baseboard heating - as a three-fold solution, involving a solar hot-water system, radiators and a water heater or boiler – can provide some energy savings but it's typically too expensive and non-competitive.

Solar baseboard heating should only be considered as part of a wider system, involving the supplying of hot water for bathroom and kitchen uses... And often only to heat a room or a small part of the house...