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Frequently Asked Questions

What is solar thermal?
Solar thermal is the specialist term for heat produced using solar energy. Thermal collectors convert sunlight into heat which is used for hot water and to supplement conventional heating systems or to heat swimming pools. It may also be used to heat air directly using air collectors.
What is meant by "photovoltaic”?
Photovoltaic (photo = light, volt = unit of electrical voltage) is the specialist term for electricity produced using solar energy. Photovoltaic concerns the direct conversion of sunlight into electric current using solar cells.
What components go to make up a solar thermal system?
Solar thermal systems consist of a collector array, storage cylinder, solar circuit and a control unit with pump. The whole system is connected together by pipes in which solar fluid circulates as a heat transfer medium.
What components go to make up a photovoltaic system?
Photovoltaic solar systems generally consist of photovoltaic modules and a device called an inverter. The direct current generated by the system is transformed by the inverter into alternating current as per electricity supplied by the grid. If the system is connected to the grid, this electricity is fed into the public grid via an export meter. In the case of a stand-alone system, solar electricity is mainly stored in batteries for use at a later time.
When is a house suitable for solar power?
Almost any building is suitable for a solar installation. The roof or façade on which the solar collectors are installed must face south, east or west. Shading caused by trees or houses should be avoided. A solar thermal system also requires a suitable location for the hot water storage cylinder.
What is a sensible size for a photovoltaic solar energy system?
Due to the subsidy for solar generated electricity paid for by the utility companies (as laid down in the Renewable Energies Act), the system should be dimensioned according to the size of the roof and the amount of money available, in order to obtain as high a return as possible.
How can a solar energy system help save the environment?
A solar installation generates energy and therefore reduces energy requirements from conventional energy like oil, gas, coal or uranium. CO2 emissions are reduced accordingly (not in comparison with nuclear power). Furthermore, environmental damage through transport, extraction and processing of raw materials or through the final storage of spent fuels is avoided.
In what ways can photovoltaic systems be used?
For private homes, there are two main types of use:
- Grid coupled photovoltaic systems for returning electricity to the grid.
- Off-grid (stand-alone) photovoltaic systems for own consumption.
How much energy can I really save?
A solar thermal system will generally allow you to save over 60% of the energy required to generate hot water. If used to supplement a conventional heating system, roughly the same percentage saving can be made in addition. As a rule of thumb, at our latitudes the energy yield per year and per system is between 750 and 850 kWh per kWp of installed output. This means that a 2kWp photovoltaic system roughly 20 square meters in size produces approximately 1.500 – 1.700 kWh of electricity per annum.
How do I fit a solar energy system?
There are the following installation types:
- On-roof installation
- Flat-roof installation
- Integrated/complete roof installation system
- Canopy installation
- Façade installation

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