Print this page Solar Water Heating Project Analysis
Velimir Lackovic, MScEE
Course Outline
In addition to the energy cost savings on water heating, there are several other benefits derived from using the sun’s energy to heat water. Most solar water heaters come with an additional water tank, which feeds the conventional hot water tank. Users benefit from the larger hot water storage capacity and the reduced likelihood of running out of hot water.
Solar water heating project model have been shown in detail. The tilted irradiance calculation algorithm, the calculation of environmental variables such as sky temperature, and the collector model are common to all applications. Energy delivered by hot water systems with storage is estimated with the f-Chart method. For systems without storage, the utilisability method is used. The same method is also used to estimate the amount of energy actively collected by pool systems; pool losses and passive solar gains are estimated through a separate algorithm.
This course is suitable for engineers with a desire to understand the fundamentals of setting solar water heating project. Presented details cover issues related to technical and financial implementation and exploitation of solar water heating systems. Upon successful completion engineers will be able to address solar water heating terms, methods of operation and how to set up detailed technical and financial feasibility model.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will become familiar with:
- Basic theory and solar water heating technology background;
- Equipment components used in solar water heating installations;
- Solar water heating project modeling;
- How to determine passive solar gains; and
- How to calculate energy balances for the various solar installations.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for electrical and mechanical engineers.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will understand basic solar water heating principles and methods for sizing solar water heaters for particular application. Also attendee will be able to calculate important financial parameters that may indicate feasibility for large scale applications.
Course Introduction
Using the sun’s energy to heat water is not a new idea. More than one hundred years ago, black painted water tanks were used as simple solar water heaters in a number of countries. Solar water heating (SWH) technology has greatly improved during the past century. Today there are more than 30 million m2 of solar collectors installed around the globe. Hundreds of thousands of modern solar water heaters, are in use in countries such as China, India, Germany, Japan, Australia and Greece. In fact, in some countries the law actually requires that solar water heaters be installed with any new residential construction project (Israel for example).
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Solar Water Heating Project Analysis
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Course Summary
In this course, calculations methods for typical solar water heating project were shown. The tilted irradiance calculation method, the calculation of environmental variables such as sky temperature, and the collector model are common to all applications. Energy delivered by hot water systems with storage is estimated with the f-Chart method. For systems without storage, the utilisability method is used. The same method is also used to estimate the amount of energy actively collected by pool systems. Pool losses and passive solar gains are estimated through a separate calculation method.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
