Especially now in spring, it’s easy to notice: Without the energy of the sun, life on Earth would be pretty dull. The sun makes plants bloom, lifts our spirits, and produces plenty of heat. And the best part? The sun doesn’t send us a bill for this heat, it’s delivered free of charge.
More and more people are using this free heat source as a regenerative form of heat generation in their homes. In the professional world, this is referred to as solar thermal energy. In this process, freely available sunlight is converted into directly usable heat.
In times of rising energy prices, it is becoming increasingly attractive to switch to an independent heat supply. Solar thermal systems, such as the highly efficient vacuum tube collectors from AKOTEC, can play a significant role in this.
Of all the alternative energy sources, solar thermal energy is the most straightforward process. Sunlight hits a dark surface, known as the absorber, and heats it up. A water-antifreeze mixture is heated and transfers this heat via a heat exchanger to the storage tank. The stored solar heat can supply the house with hot water or heating for several days.
The prices for gas and oil are soaring, and consumers fear an expensive heating season. The rising prices are further fueled by supply shortages of fossil energy sources and yearly increasing CO₂ prices.
More and more homeowners are using this expected increase in heating costs as an opportunity to invest in a solar heating system. They are supported by currently very attractive funding conditions that also allow the retrofitting of existing heating systems with environmentally friendly solar collectors.
AKOTEC’s high-performance vacuum tube collectors have proven to be particularly powerful and efficient. The company relies on vacuum tube technology, ensuring an above-average high efficiency even in diffuse light conditions.
The demand for solar thermal collectors is steadily increasing. In 2021, nearly 81,000 new solar thermal systems were installed in Germany, according to the German Heating Industry Association and the German Solar Industry Association. The industry expects another surge in demand for 2022.
Solar thermal systems can be combined with almost any heat source. Solar thermal systems can be combined with nearly any heat generator, such as a wood-fired boiler, a heat pump, or a gas condensing boiler. By retrofitting a gas or oil heating system with solar collectors, energy consumption can be significantly reduced. Homeowners who opt for solar energy in existing buildings can save between 30 and 50 percent of energy costs. In new buildings, up to 100 percent solar heating is possible.
Solar systems are the calling card of economically and environmentally conscious building owners. They generate heat for free, silently, and emission-free. AKOTEC, the solar thermal manufacturer, has already saved 8,800 tons of CO₂ with its sold vacuum collectors. By installing an AKOTEC solar system, homeowners not only become more independent from rising energy prices but also help protect the environment by using green solar heat.
Funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Energy with funds from the European Social Fund and the State of Brandenburg. Learn more.
