PV-T panels

Some panels combine solar thermal with photo voltaics. These are known as ‘co-generation' or ‘hybrid' panels. Typically, photo voltaics only convert a small part of the sun's energy to electricity, the rest is dissipated as heat. Co-generation panels capture the wasted energy to heat water, but also improve the efficiency of the photo voltaic cells. The efficiency of photo voltaic cells decreases as they heat up. The solar thermal panel has a cooling effect on the photo voltaic panel, making it more efficient.