New Solar Panel Combines Hot Water and Photovoltaics

Here’s something you may not know: as solar panels heat up, they become less efficient.  An ironic truth for something designed to sit in the sun all day.  Up until now, a homeowner was required to choose between photovoltaic solar panels (the kind that generate electricity) and hot water solar panels (the kind that generate, well, hot water).

Hot water panels could heat your house, consumable hot water, swimming pool, etc.  Even during the winter.  Photovoltaic cells can charge a battery bank that in turn powers your house.  A company called Solimpeks has combined the two technologies to create a more efficient, widely applicable product.

In addition to giving a homeowner a longer list of potential uses, the new hybrid panel solves the inverse efficiency issue by drawing heat away from the solar cells.  Voila! A more efficient, multi-purposed solar panel.

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