What is a Solar Thermal System?

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In the world of renewable energy, solar thermal – heating water with the sun's power – is understandably the oldest and most mature field. That's because it's so simple: the sun has heated standing water for millennia and solar thermal systems simply add a technological aspect to improve efficiency, reliability and ease of use.

The fact that solar thermal has been around for a while has many benefits:

  • There are more real-life examples to help you figure out what you need
  • The technology has proved itself in a wide variety of climates
  • The manufacturers have had time to perfect production
  • The experts actually are experts, with years of experience
  • Bad ideas and systems have been weeded out
  • Prices have fallen and installation has become easier

The most basic solar thermal system consists of a means of collecting solar energy (a collector) and a water storage medium (a tank). Most modern systems also integrate pipes, heat exchangers, pumps, control systems, insulation and a bunch of other components to enhance efficiency or make running and maintaining things a lot easier.

In spite of these added complexities, solar thermal systems are still a simpler proposition than most other branches of renewable energy. This means they're a great place to start if you're new to the subject and they can often be planned and installed as a DIY project. It's still worth including some professional advice and help in your budget, though, as renewable energy experts can help you avoid many of the most common (and expensive) installation pitfalls, as well as bringing their experience to the table in the planning stages.

If it's done properly, a solar thermal system can be one of the best long-term investments you make in your property. Assuming you pick the right system for your climate, measure your needs correctly, invest in quality equipment and maintain it regularly, a solar thermal setup can last decades, saving you enormous amounts of money on water heating. It won't pay for itself in just a few years but if you're in for the long haul, you're looking at a very good return on investment.