What is the difference between a thermal panel and a photovoltaic panel

 Both exploit the sun's rays. Thermal solar panel and photovoltaic solar panel, however, differ in their technicalities. Focus on these two renewable energy producing devices.

Heating water in your home or producing electricity

We recognize them from afar, they adorn the roofs of our houses. Sunlight being an almost inexhaustible resource, both devices allow significant savings. However, thermal solar panels and photovoltaic solar panels have different objectives. If the first allows domestic water to be heated, the second produces electricity.

In short, the thermal solar panel transforms sunlight into heat. Which is transported in an energy transporter then in an exchanger. The water is thus heated and then stored. Mainly used for domestic use, it can also be used for heating the house.

Next to it, the photovoltaic solar panel draws energy from the sun's rays and transforms it into electric current. Ready for use, this electricity is stored in batteries. Under contract, the unused share can be resold to EDF.

Installing a thermal solar panel

When done correctly, installing a solar thermal panel can pay for itself within a few months. The panel must be checked once a year. With a so-called combined system, which heats the water and the home, the solar collectors require an inclination of 60%. The average efficiency, namely the ratio of solar energy converted/obtained, can then be estimated at 80%.

There are different types of thermal sensors. Their prices, however, mainly depend on their size. The price excluding tax and installation per m² of a glass sensor panel ranges from €200 to €400. That of a tube panel around €600. Knowing that the cost of the total installation depends on the system already in place

Installing a photovoltaic solar panel

A photovoltaic solar panel is made of photovoltaic cells made of silicon, a mineral abundant in the earth's crust. From direct current, electricity is transformed into alternating current via a photovoltaic inverter. Here, the average yield observed is 15%.

The total cost of a photovoltaic installation ranges from €8,000 to €30,000, installation, miscellaneous costs and connection to the electricity network included. Here, everything depends on the type of installation, knowing that this price is decreasing depending on the desired power.

A true ecological solution, these two processes have the advantage of not producing greenhouse gases. In both cases, however, a feasibility study is necessary. Finally, note that it is obligatory to submit a declaration of work to the town hall.