Handymaner
Member
Do these panel radiators work with low temps suitable for solar? I have some solar ambitions.
Too much cycling
- Thread starter Handymaner
- Start date
They have a predicable output down to very low temps, but of course the lower the temp, the lower the output. Active solar thermal isn't exactly a great match at your latitude, since the solar input is pretty pathetic at about the same time that your loads are peaking, and in the snowier parts of AK keeping the panels clear of snow is even an issue.
From a net-benefit point of view photovoltaic panels have now hit a price point that PV + air-source heat-pump technology is more financially viable than solar thermal, and there are ductless mini-splits with fully specified output at outdoor temps as low as -25C/-13F, that run at a coefficient of performance of about 1.8 at that temp. (That's 1.8x more heat per $ than electric resistance heating.)
From a net-benefit point of view photovoltaic panels have now hit a price point that PV + air-source heat-pump technology is more financially viable than solar thermal, and there are ductless mini-splits with fully specified output at outdoor temps as low as -25C/-13F, that run at a coefficient of performance of about 1.8 at that temp. (That's 1.8x more heat per $ than electric resistance heating.)
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