1. Can I use a solar water heating system in place of my existing traditional gas or electric hot water system?
A solar hot-water heating system can take care of the bulk of your hot water needs. However, in some instances, such as when it’s cloudy or rainy, the solar hot-water system may not be able to provide all the hot water you need. We strongly recommend that you install a solar hot-water system in conjunction with your existing system, or install the system with a solar storage tank that has an electric or gas backup.
2. Which collector is better: flat plate or evacuated tube?
At Solar Panels Plus, we supply and sell both types of technologies. Flat plate collectors work very well in warm, sunny conditions, or where a strict budget is a concern. Evacuated tube collectors, which cost about 20 percent more than their flat plate counterparts, work very well in cold, cloudy or otherwise unfavorable conditions. There are a number of factors to weigh when choosing between the two. Consult a seasoned dealer or your sales person to help you decide.
3. Do solar thermal systems produce hot water in the winter? What about when it's cloudy or cold?
Solar Panels Plus manufactures and distributes solar hot-water systems that work exceptionally well in cold, cloudy and winter conditions. At times, however, especially during long periods of cloud cover, some light use of your backup system may be required to meet demands.
