At Heatable, we’re all about heating your home smarter, greener, and without making your wallet weep. With solar panels popping up on rooftops like daisies in spring, it’s no wonder more UK homeowners are looking to tap into that glorious free sunshine to power their homes.
But then comes the head-scratcher:
“Can I use solar panels with my boiler - or is it like trying to pair socks with sandals?”
Good news: you can mix solar and boilers, and no, it’s not a fashion faux pas.
In fact, done right, it’s a brilliant combo that can cut your energy bills and carbon footprint in one neat move.
So, let’s dive into the details and help you find a boiler that’s not only solar-compatible but also a top team player in your eco-friendly setup.
Quick takeaways:
Solar Thermal Panels: Best with system or regular boilers using a dual-coil hot water cylinder; combi boilers less ideal unless adapted.
Solar PV Panels: Pair well with electric boilers, heat pumps, or gas boilers with smart controls to offset electricity costs.
System Boilers: Compatible with solar thermal via hot water cylinder; brands like Worcester Bosch offer solar-ready models.
Regular Boilers: Work with solar thermal using twin-coil cylinders, ideal for larger homes.
Electric Boilers & Heat Pumps: Perfect for solar PV, reducing running costs with solar-generated electricity.
Key Considerations: Ensure cylinder compatibility, choose solar-ready boilers, use professional installers, and explore government incentives.
Benefits: Lower energy bills, reduced carbon footprint, and future-proofed heating with solar-boiler integration.
Get your new boiler quote here (0% finance available).
Understanding Solar Panels and Boilers
Solar panels, whether photovoltaic (PV) for electricity or solar thermal for hot water, are a fantastic way to harness renewable energy.
However, most UK homes still rely on a gas or oil boiler for central heating and hot water, especially during those classic British winters when the sun is playing hide and seek.
The key to a successful solar-boiler combo is ensuring your boiler can work seamlessly with your solar system, maximising efficiency and savings.
Solar Thermal vs. Solar PV: What’s the Difference?
Before we get into boiler compatibility, let’s clarify the two types of solar panels:
Solar Thermal Panels: These heat water directly, feeding it into your hot water system. They’re typically paired with a hot water cylinder and are ideal for reducing the demand on your boiler for hot water.
Solar PV Panels: These generate electricity, which can power your home’s appliances or, with the right setup, contribute to heating systems like electric boilers or heat pumps.
The type of solar panel you have (or plan to install) will influence which boilers are most compatible.
Let’s explore your options…
Boilers Compatible with Solar Thermal Panels
Solar thermal systems are designed to provide hot water, so they work best with boilers that integrate with a hot water cylinder. Here are the top boiler types to consider:
1. System Boilers
System boilers are a brilliant match for solar thermal panels. They’re designed to work with a separate hot water cylinder, which can store the hot water generated by your solar thermal system.
When the solar-heated water isn’t quite hot enough (hello, British weather), the boiler kicks in to top it up.
Why they’re compatible: System boilers are built for setups with a cylinder, and many modern models, like those from Worcester Bosch or Viessmann, can be configured with a solar-compatible cylinder for seamless integration.
Top tip: Look for a boiler with a “solar differential controller” or compatibility with solar thermal kits to ensure smooth operation.
2. Regular (Conventional) Boilers
Regular boilers, also known as heat-only boilers, are another great option for solar thermal systems.
Like system boilers, they work with a hot water cylinder, making them ideal for storing solar-heated water. These are often found in larger homes or older properties with traditional heating systems.
Why they’re compatible: Regular boilers can easily integrate with a twin-coil cylinder, where one coil is heated by the solar thermal system and the other by the boiler. Brands like Ideal and Baxi offer models that pair well with solar setups.
Top tip: Ensure your cylinder is solar-ready with a dual-coil design to make the most of your solar thermal panels.
3. Combi Boilers (with Caveats)
Combi boilers are the UK’s most popular boiler type, thanks to their compact design and on-demand hot water.
However, they’re not always the best match for solar thermal panels. Why? Combi boilers don’t use a hot water cylinder, which is typically needed to store solar-heated water.
That said, some modern combi boilers can be adapted for solar thermal compatibility with additional components, like a thermal store or a solar diverter valve.
However, this can be more complex and costly, so it’s worth chatting with a professional installer to see if it’s viable for your home.
Why they’re less ideal: Without a cylinder, integrating solar thermal with a combi boiler requires extra kit, which may offset some of the cost savings.
Boilers Compatible with Solar PV Panels
Solar PV panels generate electricity, so they’re less about directly heating water and more about powering your home’s electrical systems. Here’s how they pair with different boilers:
1. Electric Boilers
If you’re all-in on renewable energy, an electric boiler paired with solar PV panels is a match made in eco-heaven.
Electric boilers, like those from brands such as EHC or Fischer, run entirely on electricity, so the power generated by your solar PV panels can directly reduce your boiler’s running costs.
Why they’re compatible: Solar PV panels can offset the electricity used by the boiler, especially during sunny periods, making your heating system greener and cheaper to run.
Top tip: Consider a battery storage system to store excess solar electricity for use when the sun’s not shining.
2. Gas Boilers with Smart Controls
While gas boilers (combi, system, or regular) don’t run on electricity for heating, they do use electricity for controls, pumps, and ignition. Pairing a gas boiler with solar PV panels can help offset these ancillary electricity costs.
Plus, modern gas boilers with smart controls, like those from Worcester Bosch or Vaillant, can be programmed to prioritise solar-generated electricity for maximum efficiency.
Why they’re compatible: The electricity from your solar PV panels can power the boiler’s electrical components, reducing your reliance on the grid.
Top tip: Look for a boiler with smart thermostats that can integrate with your solar PV system for optimised energy use.
3. Heat Pumps (Air or Ground Source)
For the ultimate green heating system, pair your solar PV panels with a heat pump. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, and the electricity generated by your solar PV panels can significantly reduce running costs. Brands like Daikin and Mitsubishi offer heat pumps that work beautifully with solar PV systems.
Why they’re compatible: Heat pumps are highly efficient, and solar PV panels can provide a chunk of the electricity needed to run them, slashing your energy bills.
Top tip: Ensure your heat pump is sized correctly for your home, and check if you’re eligible for government grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to offset installation costs.
Key Considerations for Pairing Boilers with Solar Panels
To make sure your boiler and solar panel setup is a roaring success, keep these points in mind:
Cylinder Compatibility: For solar thermal systems, a dual-coil or solar-ready hot water cylinder is essential for most setups (except with some combi boilers).
Boiler Brand and Model: Not all boilers are designed with solar integration in mind. Check with manufacturers like Worcester Bosch, Viessmann, or Vaillant, which offer solar-compatible models.
Professional Installation: Solar and boiler integration can be complex, so always use a qualified installer who’s experienced in renewable energy systems.
Government Incentives: Schemes like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for solar PV or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pumps can help offset costs - check what’s available.
Your Home’s Needs: The size of your home, hot water demand, and existing heating system will influence which boiler and solar setup is best.
Why Go Solar with Your Boiler?
Pairing a boiler with solar panels isn’t just about cutting your energy bills (although that’s a big perk!).
It’s also about future-proofing your home and reducing your environmental impact.
With energy prices fluctuating and the UK pushing towards net-zero, combining a modern, efficient boiler with solar power is a smart move.
Ready to Go Green with Heatable?
At Heatable, we’re here to make your switch to a greener heating system as smooth as possible.
Whether you’re eyeing a system boiler for solar thermal panels or an electric boiler to pair with solar PV, we’ve got a range of top-tier boilers from trusted brands, all at prices that won’t leave you sweating.
Just pop your postcode into our quick online quote tool, and we’ll match you with the perfect boiler for your solar setup - installed by a local Gas Safe engineer, hassle-free.
Got questions about solar compatibility or want to explore your options? Drop us a message, and our friendly team will guide you every step of the way. Let’s heat your home the smart, sustainable way!
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting, you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.
Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
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Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
