CAT › Information Service › solar-water-heating

Solar water heating, also known as solar thermal, is about using the sun's energy to produce domestic hot water that we use for showers, baths and hot taps. Solar water heating panels should not be confused with photovoltaic (solar electric) panels which produce electricity from sunlight.

Producing hot water for use in showers, baths and hot taps accounts for a significant proportion of the overall domestic energy consumption. Under UK conditions, a household can easily produce around half the hot water it needs over the course of a year from solar energy.

To learn more about this technology, take a look at our Questions and Answers section and our case studies.