only an expensive dream is now reality: Solar photo-voltaic hot-water heating is now
cost-effective and efficient.
But what is more important for me: it is now possible to live without the really ugly looking
solar installations for hot water (Thermosyphon) which one can see on nearly every roof.
There is now also in Cyprus available a very smart alternative. It consists of only 3-4 photo-voltaic
panels on the roof, that's all one can see. The cylinder is hidden somewhere in the house which
means not anymore terrible heat losses. As the system is equipped with a small controller there is
no overheating anymore in Summer which is responsible for water leaks through stress and blockages
in the circuit as water becomes very aggressive with temperatures > 65C. The controller also ensures
that maximum electric power comes from the panels in various weather conditions. On cloudy and
windy days the normal Thermosyphon is not producing any energy and with all the other losses the water
stays cold and need expensive electricity to heat it up via immersion heater. Photo-voltaic on the contrary
always produces electricity to warm the water and as there are less losses it needs only a little boost
with the built-in 1KW electric coil to reach higher water temperature (if cloudy)
It is also much more easy to find ideal positions for the solar PV panels unlike the bulky Thermosyphon units
which are often installed in the shade of a wall leading to no energy gain in Winter when shadows are long.
Look at the photo as an example. It is not only unsightly but will have no sunshine most of the time in Winter.
Good photo-voltaic panels work > 40 years and the German produced cylinder has good insulation and
avoids thermal bridges as well as built-in optimized anodic corrosion protection and anode tester.
Cylinder can also be combined with Gas/Oil boiler if exists.
Every Solar (PV) produced KWh is converted 100% into heat and the possibility to change the look of
your premises to a much nicer place makes me come to the conclusion: This should be the future
not only for new built houses.
Photo: PV panels to heat up the cylinder.
