3 ms·
A number of recent studies have shown that PV used to heat water is actually cheaper and more efficient. It's counter-intuitive, but the reality is that PV has
by Johnythree 8y ago
A number of recent studies have shown that PV used to heat water is actually cheaper and more efficient.
It's counter-intuitive, but the reality is that PV has become much cheaper, while solar hot-water panels plus plumbing are expensive.
Plus you can use any surplus PV for multiple purposes.
- supermatt 8y agoI think it depends on the requirement and configuration. A simple passive open-loop system is very cheap, and adequate for a hot water during warmer seasons (if you dont need hot water in the morning, i may add :D) During colder seasons, you would need a closed loop system with a heat exchanger (often a heat pump, which you can power by PV) and insulated storage. Thats when it starts to get expensive, and the effective efficiency can be decreased if you are pumping more heat than you consume. This is an alternative to the air-source heat pump that your research probably used for comparison. That said, I can totally see how PV could fulfill a hot water need right through the year, its just WAY more expensive than a low-tech solar thermal system (and likely less efficient in the summer). Again, no harm in using both if you have the funds (and space) :D