This type is best suited for warmer, sunny climates, because of the nature of the piping. Special plumbing is required in cold climates to completely drain the system at night so it doesn’t freeze, and it usually doesn’t work as well as the evacuated tube systems in these climates.

It also uses glazing on the outer glass to try and reduce the amount of heat loss through the plate, but there is still significant loss, which is why evacuated tubes are more suitable for colder climates.