Solar thermal energy
A solar thermal system supplies heat for drinking and shower water or to support room heating.
Thermie is ancient Greek and means "heat". This is made possible with the help of flat or tubular solar collectors on the roof, which contain black absorber surfaces. Solar thermal systems should not be confused with photovoltaic systems. These generate electricity from sunlight using solar cells that are combined in modules.
Solar thermal: only for hot water or also for heating?
In the vast majority of cases, solar thermal energy supports the existing heating system. Small solar thermal systems are only used to heat domestic hot water. Depending on the size of the system and the level of hot water consumption, you can produce up to 60 percent of the energy required for hot water from sunlight with such a system. With a system for solar heating support, the solar heat is also used for heating.
Is my roof suitable for solar thermal energy?
Unshaded south-facing roofs are favorable. South-east and south-west orientation also produce a good yield. When facing east or west, the yield is reduced by around a quarter. Roofs with pitches of 30 to 70 degrees are well suited.
A good way to check the suitability of your own roof is to use the solar register of the city of Wolfsburg.
The solar atlas of the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association (RGB) can also be used to display system size and other (technical) details by entering user data.
You can obtain detailed information and advice on the subject of solar hernia from the consumer advice center.