Can infrared heating run from solar panels?
Yes. Solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity and infrared heaters use electricity, so electricity generated by your solar PV system can contribute directly towards powering your infrared heating whenever generation and heating demand occur at the same time.
The combination is particularly attractive for buildings moving towards an all-electric energy system because infrared heating requires no boiler, wet heating circuit or external heat-pump unit.
From sunlight to warmth
Solar PV and infrared heating do not require a special connection to one another. Your solar system generates electricity for the property, and the heaters form part of the property's electrical demand.
Solar PV generates electricity
Solar panels convert available sunlight into electrical energy for use within the property.
The building uses it
On-site electrical loads can consume available solar generation before additional electricity is imported.
Infrared provides heat
Infrared panels use electricity to deliver radiant warmth to people and solid surfaces.
Controls manage demand
Thermostats, schedules and zoning determine when individual rooms call for heat.
Why pair infrared heating with solar PV?
Infrared is one way of creating a fully electric heating system that can make use of electricity generated on site.
Use electricity generated on site
When solar generation coincides with heating demand, some of the electricity required by the heaters can be supplied by your PV system rather than imported from the grid.
Room-by-room zoning
Individual rooms can have their own temperature settings and schedules, allowing heating demand to follow how the building is actually occupied.
Simple electric infrastructure
Infrared heating does not require a boiler, water-filled radiators, pumps or a central wet heating circuit.
Smart control
Compatible thermostats and controls can provide schedules and independent temperature management across different zones.
Solar generation and heating demand don't always happen together
One of the most important considerations is timing. Solar PV output is generally strongest during daylight hours, while heating demand can be highest during colder mornings, evenings and winter periods.
Solar PV can therefore contribute towards heating electricity, but the amount supplied directly by solar will vary according to the season, weather, PV system size, building demand and when the heating operates.
Think beyond the heater
A well-designed all-electric property considers the building fabric, space heating, hot water, solar generation and controls as parts of one energy system rather than treating each technology separately.
Insulation, glazing and airtightness determine the underlying heat requirement.
Generates electricity that can contribute towards household, heating and hot-water demand.
Provides controllable electric space heating across individual rooms and zones.
Electrical batteries and thermal storage can help shift some energy use between generation and demand periods.
What about domestic hot water?
Space heating is only one part of an all-electric property. Domestic hot water also needs to be considered when moving away from a conventional gas boiler.
One option is a heat battery such as Sunamp Thermino. It stores thermal energy for hot-water production and can form part of a wider electric energy system incorporating solar PV and off-peak electricity.
The appropriate solution depends on the property's hot-water demand, available electrical supply, generation, storage and overall system design.
Where can solar + infrared work particularly well?
The right solution depends on the building and its energy requirements, but infrared heating is commonly considered alongside solar PV in the following types of project.
Particularly where good insulation and an all-electric approach are already part of the design.
Electric heating can avoid extending an existing wet heating circuit into newly created areas.
Independent heating and temperature control can suit spaces that are occupied intermittently.
Zoned heating can be considered where different areas have different occupancy schedules.
Considering infrared heating alongside solar PV?
Start by calculating the heating requirement of each room. Our team can also help with panel sizing, positioning and control options for domestic and commercial projects.
