August 26, 2025

Can solar panels be used for heating?

If you’re an Irish homeowner thinking about installing solar at your home, you’ve probably asked yourself this question.

It’s a fair question. After all, as energy costs rise and with more homeowners seeking energy independence, it makes sense to explore every possible benefit solar PV may have to offer.

In this article, we’ll break down why solar panels alone can’t be used for heating. We’ll explain what is possible with solar panels in Ireland, what technologies are available and what setup is the most practical, so you can make an informed decision for your home.

1. Why can’t solar panels heat my home?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work by converting daylight into electricity, not heat.

This electricity can be used to power everything in your home that runs on electricity, such as lights, fridges, cooking appliances, washing machines, dishwashers, EV chargers and more.

Solar PV cannot heat your home, unless you install a heating system that runs on electricity.

2. What Do You Mean by “Heating”?

Firstly, when someone asked about using solar for “heating” , they could mean a few different things. The most common are:

• Space heating: Heating your home via radiators or underfloor heating.

• Water heating: Heating domestic hot water for showers, baths, or taps

These are two very different systems, and solar interacts with them in different ways. So it’s important to be clear one what you’re trying to heat before deciding how solar can help.

3. Two Types of Solar Technology for Heating

This is where a lot of the confusion around heating with solar power comes from.

When people talk about heating water with solar, they’re often thinking of solar thermal systems. This technology is entirely different from solar PV.

There are two kinds of solar panels used in homes, and they work in completely different ways:

Solar thermal technology uses panels or tubes (often called “collectors”) that absorb heat from the sun and transfer it directly to water stored in a cylinder (source: Energy Saving Trust). This is a physical transfer of heat, not electricity. Thermal solar directly heats water, and the technology existed before solar PV. It was popular in Ireland in the early nineties, the technology has not advanced since, and has fallen in popularity as modern solar PV technology has advanced significantly.

Solar PV systems generate electricity, which makes it more versatile as it can be used for many things, including heating water with the addition of a hot water diverter. Although the outcome is the same, a tank of hot water, the methods, technology, and advantages differ significantly.

Read this article to learn more about using solar PV to heat water.

4. Why Solar PV Is More Common in Ireland

Solar thermal systems are no longer common in Ireland. That’s because solar PV systems are more versatile, as they generate electricity that can be used throughout the home, not just for hot water, delivering better overall value.

With a PV system you can power your home appliances, charge your EV and heat water with a hot water diverter, all with your solar PV system. Whereas, solar thermal systems solely heat water.

The Irish climate doesn’t always provide consistent sunshine, limiting solar thermal’s benefits as it requires direct sunlight.

Solar PV systems also benefit from government grants and are more compatible with smart technologies such as battery storage, EV chargers, back-up switches and hot water diverters, allowing homeowners to maximise their savings by using every possible unit of electricity generated.

5. Can Solar PV Be Used for Home Heating in Ireland?

While solar PV can’t directly heat your home, the right set up will allow you to use your self-generated solar electricity to achieve the same result.

As solar PV panels generate electricity, they can be used to power electric heating systems. Some of the most common setups include:

• Infrared electric heating radiators

• Air-to-water or air-to-air heat pumps (for both water and space heating)

This means that, in theory, solar PV can contribute to heating your home. But in practice, there are some things to consider.

6. The Practical Challenges

• Mismatch between demand and supply: In winter, when you need heating the most, your solar panels are producing the least energy.

• Electric heating can be power-intensive: Using resistive electric heaters or even an immersion heater without a diverter or timer can quickly drain solar energy, and then switch you back to the grid.

• Battery storage or hot water diverters help: Storing excess solar energy (in a battery or as hot water) can make heating more feasible, especially during spring and autumn.

So yes, you can use solar PV to support heating, but it’s usually most effective as a supplement, not a primary source.

7. Can Solar Thermal Be Used for Heating in Ireland?

Yes, solar thermal systems are specifically designed to heat water.

In Ireland, solar thermal is less effective in winter, exactly when you need the most hot water and heating.

Space heating with solar thermal (e.g. running radiators or underfloor systems) is possible but requires large collector arrays and significant storage, making it impractical for most homes.

The SEAI grant scheme currently supports solar PV but not solar thermal, which has led to a decline in solar thermal installations in Ireland.

Today, most homeowners prefer to install solar PV and use it to power a heat pump or immersion diverter, which offers more year-round flexibility.



8. A Practical Heating Solution: Solar PV and Heat Pump

One of the most practical and increasingly popular ways to use solar PV for space heating in Irish homes is by combining solar PV and a heat pump.

Air-to-water heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it into your home’s heating system, warming radiators or underfloor heating.

Because heat pumps run on electricity, powering a heat pump with self-generated solar energy means you can use your own renewable electricity for heating purposes, and the heat pump can run more economically.

Solar PV and heat pumps work particularly well in low-energy or well-insulated homes, where heating demand is lower, making it easier for the heat pump to keep the home warm efficiently.

During the brighter months, your solar panels can produce surplus electricity, significantly reducing the running costs of your heat pump. Even in the darker months, solar PV still contributes to your energy needs, helping to offset part of the electricity consumption.

While solar PV alone cannot fully meet the heating demand in the darkest and coldest winter months, pairing it with a heat pump creates a system where the electricity required for heating is partly supplied by clean, renewable energy generated on-site. This combination not only helps lower your carbon emissions but also provides long-term savings by reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels or grid electricity.

9. Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Mixing up PV and thermal: Many homeowners assume all solar panels heat water. They don’t.

Oversizing or under-sizing systems: Heating requirements vary hugely, so your system must be tailored, especially if a heat pump is involved.

10. Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Using Solar for Heating in Ireland?

The simple answer is yes. Solar panels can play a valuable role in lowering your home heating costs, especially when combined with efficient electric heating systems like heat pumps.

However, solar PV alone isn’t a complete solution for heating in Ireland’s climate. It works best as part of a wider, integrated approach to home energy.

If you want to replace traditional oil or gas heating entirely with solar-powered heating, expect to use a hybrid system that includes heat pumps, battery storage, and possibly backup heating sources. Understanding the seasonal limitations of solar energy here is important: solar panels produce less electricity during the coldest, darkest months when heating demand peaks. That’s why professional advice and a tailored design are essential to ensure your system meets your home’s specific needs.

Ultimately, solar power is a powerful and flexible tool that, when used correctly, can help make your home heating cleaner, greener, and more affordable. If you’re considering solar for heating, consulting a qualified installer is the best first step toward creating an efficient, sustainable system that suits your lifestyle and budget.

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