best panel for vertical wall mount

[snyggapa]

Hi

We're undertaking a rebuild/new build (depends on your point of view..) of an old 2 bedroom cottage. The south-west facing roof already has 1.4 Kwp of PVs on them but we do have a south west facing flank wall that we could possibly fit solar thermal panels onto.

Water heating for the property will be "all electric" so solar thermal, especially all year round could be seen to be beneficial.  Is there a rule of thumb that says that either ET or flat plates will perform better on the vertical, or a rule of thumb as to how many panels would be sensible to provide water DHW for 2 occupants, optimised for all year round?

Any advice is appreciated

Thanks

-Steve

[GavinA]

evacuated tubes like the ones Navitron sell benefit from something known as passive tracking, in that they generate the same amount of energy when the sun's up to something like 20-30 degrees off directly facing the panel, meaning they're going to give full power in the morning and afternoon,when the sun is also lower in the sky and therefore fuller on to a vertical panel.

they're also better in winter due to lower heat loss from the panel / higher efficiency at lower external air temps than flat panel.

aaand they're a damn site easier to mount just from a couple of ladders as you mount the frame first, then add the tubes one by one.

[snyggapa]

Thanks Gavin, interesting thoughts

Now if only I could find someone not to busy to give me a quote for installation! (in Essex)

Thanks

-Steve