Solar Panels For Homes

Has anyone heard of a solar system that combines photovoltaics and heating water?

I was thinking that if a system could both concentrate sunlight to get more voltage out of solar cells and in order to cool them, run water through the system. This way a building could get both electricity and heat with one system.
I meant to say increase power, not voltage.

yes, and yes they do make them. I work for a solar company who owns a start up company that is producing this type of panel as we speak. there is more than one company doing this, expect popularity to rise within 2 years.

The problems they face are the panels getting too hot due to the mirrors for the pv side. the eff. is at around 18% for pv, 95% for the thermal part.

Photovoltaic Systems are Affordable with Tax credits & great source for Renewable Energy

Tripp Lite PV150 PV 150W 12V DC to AC Portable Inverter with DC Auto Power Outlet $22.91 300 watts peak150 watts continuous power Low-battery alarm with auto-shut-off prevents deep battery dischargeLightweight design with all-metal housingClean quiet operation1 AC outlets 3 3/4"W x 1 3/4"H x 5 3/4"DPV-375: 4 1/4"W x 2"H x 7"DPV-600 6 1/4W x 4"H x 10 1/4"DIncludes DC cigarette lighter plug...

Tripp Lite PV375 PV 375W 12V DC to AC Portable Inverter with DC Auto Power Outlet $41.95 Harness your vehicle's battery to efficiently power your office or entertainment equipment while you're on the road. The Tripp Lite PV375 supplies up to 375 watts of continuous 120V AC power to two AC outlets from any 12V battery or automotive DC source. The unit offers a convenient cigarette-lighter DC input jack with three-foot cable. Portable and compact, the inverter's design is among the mos...

Sunforce 39810 80-Watt High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Solar Panel with Sharp Module $499.95 The Sunforce 39810 80-Watt High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Solar Panel Module will give you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This panel is ideal for homes, cabins, remote power, back-up power, and 12-Volt battery charging. This panel comes with compatible wiring, accessories and a voltage tester to help ...

A Complete Guide to the Installation of Off-Grid PV Solar Power Systems $46.55 This DVD set is a 4 hour, 16 chapter comprehensive course on the installation of Off-Grid photovoltaic solar power electric systems. It is designed to take the complete beginner to full competency. The course is taught by Bob Nagy who is the teacher in over 40 videos on high-tech subjects. Bob's bio includes 20 years at the University of Texas, ABC TV, and NASA. His clear and friendly style bri...

500v Dc Solar System Photovoltaic Surge Protector Device $73.60 OBV5-C40 DC series surge protection device for photovoltaic (solar system) they designed to protect agaginst lightning surge voltages in photovoltaic power supply networkes; These units must be installed in parallel on the DC networks to be protected and provide common and differential modes protection. The OBV5-C40 series is available for the main operating voltages in photovoltaic: 500V DC....

Super Deluxe Solar Educational Kit $16.99 This is the most complete solar educational kit we carry. This new kit contains a multi-voltage solar panel, fan unit, plastic lamp, musical chime and more. Kids can discover the magic of solar energy by experimenting with motion, light and sound. Kit includes: -Assembly instruction booklet -Solar cell module with stand -Musical unit with wire -Plastic Lamp with wire -Fan unit -Small DC motor w...

HQRP Pair MC4 Solar Panel Connector male & female (M&F) for PV / Photovoltaic System plus HQRP Coaster $8.01 HQRP Pair Solar MC4 Connector male & female (M&F)....

Ramsond 100 Watt 100w W Monocrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel Module 12V Battery Charging $249.99 Ramsond solar panels use the most premium components and raw material. Ramsond solar panels use only 'Grade A' quality, high purity silicone cells. Ramsond does not incorporate used, rejected, refused or second-hand cells into its solar panels. Furthermore, Ramsond utilizes the most advanced technologies in the production of its panels, such as a fully automated, microprocessor guided, precision,...

Energy Del Sol FPM-68 Flex Solar Power Mat Recreational Vehicle and Marine Kit $555.39 Flex Power Mat or FPM-68 RV Kit was developed for the application of harnessing the Sun’s Solar Energy in remote locations allowing you to power your RV, Boat, Trailer and other applications. The FPM-68 RV Kit includes a 12Volt 10Amp Digital Charge Controller, 20 feet of Red and Black 10AWG Wire, and all MC3 connectors so you just need to hook it up to your batteries or your inverter. Energy ...

Solar Electricity Handbook - 2012 Edition: A Simple Practical Guide to Solar Energy - Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar Electric Systems $13.49 The Solar Electricity Handbook is a practical and straightforward guide to using electric solar panels. Assuming no previous knowledge of solar panels, the book explains how solar panels work, how they can be used and explains the steps you need to take to successfully design and install a solar electric system from scratch using photovoltaic solar panels. This is an up to date 2012 Edition of th...

The Guide to Photovoltaic System Installation (Paperback) $75.25 Written with the installing electrician in mind, THE GUIDE TO PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM INSTALLATION provides readers with a simple, straightforward approach to understanding photovoltaic system installation in both residential and light commercial buildings...

Photovoltaic Systems (Hardcover) $104.66 Description not available.

Introduction to Photovoltaic System Design (Paperback) $61.38 Description not available.

Planning and Installing Photovoltaic Systems (Paperback) $172.44 Description not available.

Performance of Photovoltaic Systems in Non-domestic Buildings (Paperback) $54.71 Description not available.