Hybrid Solar Tubes Heat Water And Create Electricity

This is the first time I have seen a thermal solar hot water heater that also creates electricity.  It tends to be one, or the other.  This hybrid solar tube technology is called the Virtu Tube and is made by Britain's Naked Energy.  The Virtu Tube's have a photovoltaic panel enclosed in a vacuum tube and use a "thermosyphon" technology to pump heat away from the panels.  This heat is then used for other purposes, like heating water.