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PV Solar vs. Thermal Solar

When you decide to go solar, there are two types of direct solar energy types that you’ll find: thermal solar, also called hot water solar, and photovoltaic or PV solar. Both solar technologies collect the sun’s rays and convert them into energy that you can use to power your home. But while both rely on the sun for energy, how they create energy differs dramatically. 

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses the difference so you can decide what’s best for your needs. 

Photovoltaic Solar 

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the byproduct of the process called the photovoltaic effect in which photons (an elementary particle of light) bounce against a solar panel that is composed of mostly silicon-based semiconductors. When the photons impact the semiconductors, they release electrons. This reaction then generates electricity through exposure to light. 

In PV solar systems, the panel’s semiconductors are shaped into thin layers that produce an electrical current and effectively comprise the core element of the solar cells. Semiconductors capture the electrical current and convert it into energy that your home or business can use.

PV Solar advantages include:

• Can provide clean energy for 30 years 
• Incredibly long lifespan
• Can cover around 60% of your energy needs
• Very efficient in the summertime
• They will not freeze in cold temperatures, rather they are more efficient
• Can cover the needs of high energy users such as dryers, refrigerators, etc. 
• Federal tax rebates, grants, PACE financing, etc. are available 

Disadvantages of a PV system:

• Large initial investment 
• Require a large space for installation 

Learn More > Types of Solar Panels Compared 

Thermal Solar 

Thermal solar power is usually used to heat water and is quite simple. The solar panels on your roof collect sunlight and heat water or other liquid in the tubes inside which is then transported into a cylinder ready for use. A thermal solar system differs from a PV system in that thermal solar power generation works by concentrating the heat absorbed from the sun instead of the light. The heat that is generated drives a heat engine which then turns a generator to create electrical energy.

Thermal solar systems usually work in tandem with a central heating system (gas or fuel) and starts working when the temperature in the water tank falls below a certain value. These systems can produce how water year-round, even in cold climates. 

Alternatively, thermodynamic solar systems can heat water with a built-in compressor which allows you to establish a fossil fuel-independent system. 

Thermal Solar System Components 

These are some of the most important components of the thermal solar system:

Collectors: These capture the sun’s rays and transform them into heat. These special glass pipes are embedded in an insulated container, which helps to prevent heat loss. 

Heat Transfer Fluid: In the glass pipes, there is heat transfer fluid which is either water, ethylene glycol, or a mix of the two. This fluid circulates through the hot water tank and the collector. 

Advantages of thermal solar include: 

• More space efficient than PV systems
• Can be up to 70% more efficient than PV systems
• Less complex than PV systems 
• Perfect for heating water

Downsides of thermal solar:

• Can be less effective in the winter months when sunlight is less strong
• Less versatile than PV systems
• Have a shorter lifespan than PV systems

Advantages of PV and Thermal Solar Together

Many households want their solar panels to also provide them with hot water to bathe with, wash clothing or dishes with, and even heat their pools, so many people are installing both kinds of solar panels. 

Some people decide to install an array of PV solar panels to generate electricity to power their home, and then a couple of thermal solar panels for hot water, allowing them to harness even more energy from the sun for their home’s energy needs. 

There are even new hybrid panels on the market that use both PV and thermal solar within the same unit that will offer homeowners unique ways to meet their energy needs in the future. 

Read More > Solar 101: A Beginners Guide

Install PV or Thermal Solar Today

Whether you want to install a Photovoltaic or Thermal solar system, we have the right solutions for your energy needs at Solar Bear Orlando! 

Take back your energy independence and give us a call for an energy evaluation and solar consultation today—407-904-7585! 

Florida Solar Laws FAQ

Florida is one of the best states to live in for switching to solar, but how can you make sure you’re following all the laws surrounding solar power? At Solar Bear Tampa, we know that solar laws are confusing and ever-changing. We always want to empower our clientele when it comes to their knowledge of solar. That’s why we have pulled together a list of frequently asked questions with regard to solar laws in Florida. 

Here are a few FAQs about Florida’s solar laws. 

Is it true that everyone is allowed to install solar panels in their buildings in Florida? 

Yes! The law in Florida clearly states that everyone should have access to solar power. 

What about installation restrictions? What can stop me from being able to install solar panels in Florida?

There are some installation restrictions baked into the law. For instance, there might be height restrictions if you live near an airport. But ultimately, nothing can stop you from being able to install solar panels in Florida if you want to do so. 

Can my HOA keep me from installing solar panels on my roof in Florida? 

No. Your HOA is allowed to make installation requirements, like the specific angle of panels, or to check in on your solar panels once they are installed to ensure that the solar panels are working correctly, but they can’t keep you from installing solar panels if you want to do so. 

Do I still need to get HOA approval to install solar panels on my home in Florida?

Yes. Although the HOA cannot prevent you from installing solar panels, it is their right as the neighborhood authority to delineate the conditions under which solar panels can be installed in the neighborhood. 

Hopefully these FAQs answer your questions about Florida’s solar laws. If not, we are always happy to make a consultation for your solar power needs. Call our team at Solar Bear Tampa today! 

Does Cooler Weather Affect My Solar Panel System?

As the weather begins to cool throughout Florida you may be wondering if those chilly nights and mornings will negatively impact your solar output. Though a bright, clear sunny day is optimal for your solar panels, like other electronics, heat has nothing to do with it! Solar panels work more efficiently in cooler temperatures. 

Solar panels absorb energy from the sun’s light, not the heat, so even our friends in colder northerly climates can harness the power of solar to power their homes! 

Our technicians at Solar Bear Orlando discuss this concept further, so keep reading…

Key Takeaways 

• Solar panels work more efficiently in cooler weather. 
• Solar panels don’t need heat to work, just sunlight. 
• Fall is a great time to install solar with Solar Bear! 

Cooler Temperatures Equal Increased Output 

It’s true, solar panels work more efficiently in cooler temperatures, allowing the cells to produce more voltage and thus more electricity. As the temperature rises, the panels become less efficient. 

While cooler temperatures can help your solar panels convert more energy from the sun, if you have a racking system you may have to change their direction seasonally to get the most out of the shorter days since the sun is situated lower in the sky during the winter. If not, the tilt of your roof should be sufficient to soak up the sun. 

Read More > What Direction Should Solar Panels Face? 

Solar Panels Don’t Need Warmth 

Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems don’t need warm weather to create an output of energy, they only need sunlight. PV converts light into electricity and when the sun hits the PV panels, photons of light energy knock the electrons in the solar cells loose. As a result, the electrons become energized and flow in an electrical current. This process is called a photovoltaic effect, and it doesn’t need the sun’s warmth. 

Regardless of the temperature outside, the sun’s rays are always beaming down, and solar panels will generate electricity no matter how cold it gets. It’s when it gets too hot outside where problems arise. 

Energy Production on Shorter Winter Days 

Of course, the days are shorter during the winter, and although this does slightly reduce the amount of time your panels are working at full efficiency, our ample sun in Florida is more than enough to make solar worth it, even on shorter days. 

Advantages of Colder Temperatures

• Enhances energy production and efficiency 
• The best-case scenario for solar panels is a bright cold day
• In cold climates where it snows, sunlight can still penetrate the solar panels and maintain energy production. 
• Wind chill can help solar panels produce more voltage as it lowers ambient temperature. 

Learn More > Do Home Solar Systems Require Maintenance? 

Keep Your Solar Panels Clean and Clear 

Though we don’t get snow here in Florida that can impact your solar system’s output, you should still ensure that your solar panels are clean and clear of debris such as dirt and leaf debris as much as possible. 

Also, you may want to cut back tree limbs if they are shading your solar system to ensure that your PV system is getting the highest output possible on short winter days. 

Keep your system maintained > Solar Panel Maintenance FAQ 

Fall is a Great Time to Install Solar 

Thinking about installing a solar system? Take advantage of these cooler temperatures and integrate a solar panel system into your Orlando home or property before the year ends! You may even qualify for PACE financing and Federal tax rebates. 

Don’t waste another sunny Florida day. Contact Solar Bear for a FREE estimate today —407-904-7585!

Why Degradation Rate Matters When Going Solar

If you are interested in installing solar panels for your home, odds are good that you have heard of the concept of solar degradation rate. It’s not something anyone wants to talk about—the speed at which your solar panels begin to show wear and tear over the years—but here at Solar Bear Tampa, we know that degradation rate matters when you consider going solar.

Here are just a few reasons that degradation rate matters when going solar. 

A higher degradation rate means less electricity for you and your family. 

Solar panels, even the most affordable and poorly built, last a long time, typically staying useful for a decade at least, for almost thirty years at most. But, just like any other piece of machinery or construction material, solar panels aren’t invulnerable to the ravages of time. Over time, they will wear down, due to exposure to the elements, wear and tear, and just age in general. Because of the way that solar panels work, when they age, their efficacy begins to dwindle. This is what we’re talking about when we say, “degradation rate.” As solar panels degrade, their ability to turn solar power into electricity for your family to use decreases, usually by only a fraction at first, but it’s important to know about your solar panels’ degradation rate so that you and your family can prepare for the eventual need to replace or repair your existing solar panels. 

Better materials mean a lower degradation rate. 

Generally speaking, if you invest in higher quality solar panels manufactured reliably with more durable materials, you’re going to experience a slower degradation rate. The downside of this decision, of course, is that higher quality materials usually make better solar panels more expensive from the jump. But thinking in the long-term about degradation rate might help you decide what you want to do about your initial install choices at the get-go. 

Yearly degradation compounds over time. 

Probably the biggest reason degradation rate matters to your home solar solutions is that as solar panels degrade year after year, the rate at which they lose efficacy compounds, meaning that each year that your solar panels continue to degrade, they lose a greater and greater percentage of efficacy. That means that year in and year out, if your solar panels have a high degradation rate to begin with, you can only expect things to get worse the next year. This may seem like bad news, but there are ways to combat degradation rate–namely to invest in higher quality solar panels. 

If you have questions about solar panel degradation, or if you need more information on going solar in general, do not hesitate to contact our friendly, helpful team of solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa. Call today!