What Are PV-T Hybrid Panels? The Smart Way to Produce Both Electricity and Heat from the Sun

PV-T hybrid panels are the best way to use the sun more efficiently. Solar energy stands out worldwide as a clean and sustainable energy source. However, using solar energy solely for electricity production means wasting half of its potential. Traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, but the heat generated during this process usually dissipates into the atmosphere.

This is where PV-T systems come into play. PV-T (Photovoltaic-Thermal) panels are a hybrid technology capable of simultaneously producing electricity and heat energy from the sun. This system opens the door to a new era for those who want to utilize energy more efficiently.

What Does PV-T Mean? A Hybrid Solar Panel Defined

PV-T (Photovoltaic-Thermal) panels are dual-purpose systems that merge two technologies:

• Photovoltaic Layer (PV): Converts sunlight into electrical energy.
  
• Thermal Layer (T): Captures and transfers excess heat using a fluid such as water or glycol.
  

This integration enables energy from the sun to be utilized in two forms, increasing total energy output and efficiency, especially critical for rooftops with limited space.

Combining these two systems in a single panel allows energy from the sun to be used in both electrical and thermal forms. This is a critical advantage, especially for buildings with limited roof space. While traditional systems can only place PV panels producing electricity on the same surface, PV-T panels enable the generation of two types of energy on the same area. This maximizes roof space usage, providing both hot water and electricity production through a single integration. This feature increases energy conversion efficiency while optimizing installation and maintenance costs.

How Do PV-T Panels Work?

The working principle behind PV-T panels involves:

• Sunlight Absorption: The upper part of the panel absorbs sunlight like a conventional PV panel and converts it into electricity.
  
• Heating Effect: Significant heat is generated on the panel surface during electricity production.
  
• Heat Collection: A thermal module on the back of the panel collects this heat with the help of a fluid (usually water or a glycol mixture).
  
• Heat Transfer and Usage: The collected heat can be transferred to a hot water tank or a central heating system.

Thanks to this system, total energy efficiency can reach 60%–80%—far beyond the 15%–22% offered by standard PV panels. Additionally, the thermal system acts as a cooling mechanism, preserving or even improving the electrical performance of the PV cells.

Top Advantages of PV-T Hybrid Systems

PV-T systems offer more than just technical superiority—they represent a strategic leap in energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. These systems not only produce more energy but also help users reduce energy bills, shrink their carbon footprint, and accelerate the transition to renewable resources. The benefits of PV-T panels can make a real difference across a broad spectrum, from individual homeowners to large industrial facilities. Let’s take a closer look at these advantages:

1. Dual Energy Production: Electricity + Heat

Generating both electricity and heat from the same surface area provides a remarkable efficiency advantage. Traditional PV panels convert sunlight only into electricity, wasting the heat produced. PV-T panels capture this waste heat, significantly increasing total energy output. For example, while a 1 m² standard PV panel produces about 150–180 kWh of electricity annually, a PV-T panel of the same area can produce 150 kWh of electricity plus an additional 300–500 kWh of heat energy. This means 2 to 3 times higher energy efficiency, a game changer for property owners seeking maximum output from limited surfaces.

A single PV-T panel delivers both electricity and heat from the same area. For example, a 1 m² panel typically provides:

• ~150 kWh of electricity
• +300–500 kWh of thermal energy annually

That’s 2–3x the energy output compared to a standard PV panel.

2. High Overall Efficiency

Combined efficiency of up to 80% makes PV-T panels one of the most effective renewable energy solutions. The electrical efficiency of typical PV panels ranges from 15% to 22%, whereas PV-T systems can achieve total efficiencies of 60% to 80%. Thus, a major portion of the incoming solar energy becomes usable energy.

3. Ideal for Space-Constrained Roofs

In urban areas where roof space is limited, PV-T systems allow users to maximize solar productivity per square meter.

4. Enhanced PV Performance via Cooling

Solar panels heat up during operation, which negatively impacts their electrical output. Research shows that for every 1°C increase above 25°C, electrical efficiency drops by about 0.4%. PV-T systems solve this issue by using the thermal module to continuously remove heat via a fluid, keeping the panels cooler. This cooling effect preserves or even enhances electrical output while simultaneously generating useful heat energy. This combined usage maximizes the system’s total energy conversion. With each 1°C rise above 25°C, standard PV panel output drops by 0.4%. PV-T’s thermal layer cools the panel, maintaining optimal efficiency.

5. Reduced Energy Costs and Carbon Emissions

By replacing two systems (electric + hot water), PV-T lowers energy bills and helps meet net-zero carbon goals.

Applications: Where Are PV-T Panels Used?

PV-T hybrid panels are ideal for any property with consistent heat and electricity demands, including:

• Residential Buildings: Meeting hot water, underfloor heating, and electricity needs
  
• Hotels and Gyms: Continuous hot water supply and overall energy consumption
  
• Hospitals: Reliable energy for hygiene and heating systems
  
• Industrial Facilities: Process heat and electricity for production
  
• Greenhouses and Agricultural Facilities: Environmental heating and irrigation energy needs

PV-T systems have potential applications anywhere energy is needed. Every home, business, and facility requires heating and electricity. The hybrid nature of PV-T systems allows these two critical needs to be met with a single solution. Therefore, in the future, PV-T panels will become increasingly common in apartments, factories, schools, shopping malls, and beyond. These systems optimize energy conversion, reduce costs, and help decrease carbon footprints.

What Does the Future Hold for PV-T Technology?

Renewable energy systems are gaining more support every day. Government incentives, carbon reduction targets, and rising energy costs are driving PV-T and other hybrid technologies forward. The widespread adoption of building-integrated PV-T systems (BIPV-T) will increase energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Furthermore, integrating PV-T systems with energy storage solutions presents new opportunities. Electrical energy can be stored in batteries, while thermal energy is stored in buffer tanks, allowing energy use even when the sun isn’t shining. Globally, demand for PV-T technologies is visibly rising. Particularly in European and Asian markets, installers and distributors are adding these systems to their product lines. 

• Market growth over the last five years has surpassed 30%, driven by:
• Short payback periods (as low as 4–6 years)
• Regulatory support for renewables
• Rising consumer demand for sustainable energy independence

This growth is mainly due to users recognizing the dual energy generation and high efficiency benefits. Shorter payback times and energy cost savings are motivating both individuals and businesses to choose this technology more frequently. In the coming years, PV-T systems are expected to become an indispensable part of global energy infrastructure.

Future of PV-T: Toward Energy Independence

The energy world is no longer limited to “electricity production” alone. Maximizing the benefit from the sun is both an economic and environmental necessity. PV-T panels are changing the rules of the game.

It’s time to use the sun not just for lighting, but also for heating and powering. PV-T systems represent a solid step forward for both individual users and industrial facilities.

Introducing Solimpeks EXCELL 540 W PV-T Hybrid Panels

As a leader in solar innovation, Solimpeks proudly presents the EXCELL 540 W—a new-generation PV-T hybrid panel that delivers top-tier performance for modern energy needs.

For those looking to improve energy efficiency, save space, and secure a continuous energy supply, PV-T systems are no longer optional—they are essential. Here, Solimpeks’ new generation EXCELL 540 W PV-T hybrid panels stand out. These panels provide top-tier dual energy solutions by producing both electricity and heat in one compact unit.

EXCELL 540 W PV-T Hybrid Panel– Technical Highlights

• Advanced PERC PV cells for higher electrical output
• Rear-mounted thermal collector module
• Low-iron tempered glass for maximum light absorption
• Reinforced aluminum frame for harsh conditions
• Compatible with all standard roof types
• Easy to install, maintain, and scale

The EXCELL 540 W PV-T hybrid panels feature advanced PERC cells for higher electricity output, integrated cooling to reduce cell temperatures and minimize efficiency loss, durable tempered low-iron glass, and reinforced aluminum frames for long life and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Designed for easy installation on all standard roof types, they reduce installation time and broaden application possibilities.

These next-generation PV-T solutions contribute to sustainability goals while lowering energy costs and shortening investment payback periods. High-performance panels like these are poised to become fundamental building blocks of the energy infrastructure of tomorrow.