Durability of the solar panels/collectors in Drain Back Solar Hot Water Systems - Page 4

ldjessee · 07-22-15, 09:04 PM

Hello,

I am to understand that if PV panels get to warm, they are less efficient.

How about using water (or glycol) to cool the PV panels (on the backside, kind of like how electronics are cooled) and warm a thermal mass (floor/wall, large tank of water, etc) for either heating or hot water (or hot tub, sauna, pool, etc)?

Seems you could make the PV panels more efficient and get some heat out of it also.

Just a thought.

Mikesolar · 07-22-15, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldjessee

Hello,

I am to understand that if PV panels get to warm, they are less efficient.

How about using water (or glycol) to cool the PV panels (on the backside, kind of like how electronics are cooled) and warm a thermal mass (floor/wall, large tank of water, etc) for either heating or hot water (or hot tub, sauna, pool, etc)?

Seems you could make the PV panels more efficient and get some heat out of it also.

Just a thought.

That's exactly what a PVT panel does.

07-22-15, 09:04 PM	#31
ldjessee Lurking Renovator Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 27 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello, I am to understand that if PV panels get to warm, they are less efficient. How about using water (or glycol) to cool the PV panels (on the backside, kind of like how electronics are cooled) and warm a thermal mass (floor/wall, large tank of water, etc) for either heating or hot water (or hot tub, sauna, pool, etc)? Seems you could make the PV panels more efficient and get some heat out of it also. Just a thought.