How do solar panels work with thermal energy storage?

Core Components

• Solar collection:
  Hybrid PV-Thermal (PV-T) panels generate electricity and capture heat simultaneously. These produce 4× more energy per m² than standard PV panels.
• Thermal storage:
  Heat is stored in insulated underground systems (e.g., Earth Energy Banks) or above-ground tanks. Caplin Solar’s inter-seasonal storage keeps summer heat for winter use.
• Heat delivery:
  Stored heat supplements ground-source heat pumps in winter, reducing grid reliance.

Real-World UK Applications

• New homes:
  Systems like Caplin Solar’s setup provide 100% annual heating/hot water using solar, achieving zero-carbon compliance for new builds.
• Retrofits:
  Smaller thermal stores (e.g., Sunamp Thermino) pair with existing solar PV to buffer heat for showers or radiators.
• Business use:
  Retailers use thermal storage to control heating costs, as space heating consumes 32% of UK retail energy.

Key Advantages

• Cost reduction:
  Inter-seasonal storage cuts winter heating bills by using pre-stored summer heat.
• Efficiency boost:
  Hybrid PV-T panels outperform standard PV in cloudy UK climates by using both heat and electricity.
• Carbon compliance:
  Meets stricter 2025 UK Building Regulations requiring low-carbon heating solutions.

Common Challenges

• Upfront costs:
  Inter-seasonal systems require £10,000+ investment, though grants like BUS (Boiler Upgrade Scheme) help.
• Space requirements:
  Underground thermal banks need 5-10m² beneath buildings – impractical for some urban properties.
• Retrofit complexity:
  Older properties may need radiator upgrades or insulation improvements first.

Recent Developments

• Policy push:
  The UK Energy Security Strategy (2022) promotes heat pump adoption, with thermal storage as a key technology.
• Tech innovation:
  New phase-change materials in stores like Sunamp’s Thermino achieve 3× higher energy density than water-based systems.
• Sector targets:
  The British Retail Consortium aims to cut heating emissions 50% by 2030, increasing thermal storage use in businesses.

Practical Considerations

• Top tips:
• Prioritize thermal storage if building new (avoids retrofit costs).
• Combine with smart controls to automate heat release during peak pricing.
• Verify installer MCS certification for grant eligibility.
• Mistakes to avoid:
• Oversizing PV-T arrays without matching storage capacity.
• Neglecting building insulation before installation.
• Choosing water-based storage without frost protection (critical in UK winters).