A Comparative Thermal Performance Assessment of Various Solar Collectors for Domestic Water Heating

Abstract

Growing population, depleting fossil fuels, economic expansions, and energy intensive life style demand are resulting in higher energy prices. We use energy as of heat and electricity, which can directly be obtained from sun using thermal collectors and solar cells. Solar thermal systems are gaining attention for water and space heating applications due to green aspects of solar energy. A solar thermal collector is a vital part of solar thermal energy system to absorb radiant energy from the sun. In this study, a solar water heating (SWH) system has been designed and simulated in the TRNSYS ® software using thermal and chemical properties of heat transfer fluids using REFPROP for dwellings located on ±31° latitudes (+31 Lahore in Pakistan and -31° Perth in Australia). We present an efficiency parametric optimization-based model for water and space heating. Simulation results for four types of solar thermal collectors are presented, and performance is analyzed on the basis of output temperature ( T out ), solar fraction ( f ), and collector efficiency ( η ). This study evaluates the comparative performance of evacuated tube collector (ETC), flat-plate collector (FPC), compound parabolic concentrator (CPC), and thermosiphon-driven systems. Our findings conclude the evacuated glass tube collector achieves the highest solar fraction, i.e., 50% of demand coverage during August in Pakistan and February in Australia, with an overall average of 43% annually.

A Comparative Study of Solar Heater Technologies for Domestic Water Heating

“…Therefore, the evacuated tube solar water heater model is a potential residential water heater due to its revolutionary design characteristics and increased efficiency. This model illustrates the advantages of educated design choices based on thorough research, highlighting its potential contribution to solar water heating sustainability [50].…”

“…Solar water heaters have emerged as a promising technology with the ability to solve environmental issues and energy security as the globe struggles with the problems of climate change and depleting fossil fuel supplies (A. Greco et al 2020) [1]. This contextual study examines the development, current problems, demand, and relevance of solar water heater technology [2]. The practice of using the sun's rays to heat water dates back to prehistoric times when crude devices were developed for this purpose.…”

Enhancing Occupants’ Thermal Comfort in Buildings by Applying Solar-Powered Techniques

“…Research conducted in the Antarctic area reveals that the sleep quality of base employees is superior during the season of the year with daylight, with its prevalently greater light levels, as contrasted to the sleep quality during the polar winter, with only artificial illumination [74]. In terms of maintaining healthy sleep-wake cycles, blue-enriched light is more effective than intense white light [75]. Less exposure to sunshine during the day and exposure to artificial light after sunset might delay the circadian clock in indoor environments, resulting in difficulty falling asleep at night and rising on time.…”

Investigation of thermal and air efficiency in trombe wall of modular building

“…There are a number of works devoted to a thorough scientific examination of the methods that give the greatest effect of converting solar energy into thermal energy. Research was carried out by modeling thermal processes in systems with solar collectors [12][13][14][15], as well as through wide-parameter experimental studies [10,[17][18][19][20]. Modern designs of solar collectors make it pos30the type of solar collector and its technical characteristics necessary for heat supply systems should be made on the basis of comparison and in-depth analysis [21][22][23][24].…”