Controlled shading of solar thermal collector modules using blinds, etc.

Hello dear house construction forum members,

after I already presented our problems with an oversized solar thermal system here a few years ago (ticking noises, Oct. 23 - for which, by the way, no real solution has yet been found - I would now like to put the following approach up for discussion here:

Who has experience with blinds for solar modules and can possibly give recommendations for manufacturers, suppliers, or craftsmen who build and install such things? I have already seen this on the internet, but cannot find the site anymore.

Are there things one absolutely has to pay attention to?

Many thanks for any contribution!

Without knowing the old things now.

But if work is already being done on the roof, simply tearing out (parts of) the solar thermal system and installing photovoltaics on top seems to me to be the more sensible option.

Hello Molybdean, thanks for your suggestion. I'm laughing my head off because that was exactly what came to my mind some time ago - more in the sense of "if only I had back then ...". However, everything costs money and I hope that with such a blind you end up being cheaper. You just have to compare.

Modules are cheaper than ever, you probably need scaffolding for both options, the substructure is probably not more expensive than a custom-made blind for the other modules.

And on top of that, there is still electricity.

At least I would get some quotes (or I would just climb onto the roof myself, but you have to want to and be able to).

I am a strong advocate of photovoltaics. When individually considering energy systems for buildings, it is good to keep in mind the importance of yield and consumption times. The differences in what constitutes the "best" solutions are sometimes striking as a result. The energy input from solar thermal systems should not be underestimated when used appropriately.

I completely agree with colleague Molybdaen. Because blinds are such a unicorn thing, they are definitely just as expensive as fully equipping the roof with photovoltaics. The scaffolding with fall protection, etc., is always necessary anyway. Besides, the blinds crumble away after 10 years while photovoltaics definitely last for 20 years. Add an electric heating rod or even a domestic hot water heat pump, and you have the far better system.