John Delano a University of Albany professor has added a solar thermal array alongside his solar PV installation. John discovered how much less expensive a solar thermal system can be to install.

General guidelines are that solar thermal systems are able to capture and use 85% of the sunlight that falls on their surface compared to the 22% efficiency ratings that top solar photovolatic panels on the market can claim.

Read more about John's experience here:
http://scienceline.org/2009/07/20/environment-rettner-solar-thermal-energy-photovoltaics/