Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar Water Heating (SWH) systems convert sunlight into heat for water heating using solar thermal collectors. These systems are available in various configurations to suit different climates and applications, ranging from residential to industrial use.

Operation Principles

Thermosyphon Principle: Relies on natural convection to circulate water.
Force Flow Principle: Uses pumps to circulate water.

Main Components

Flat Plate Collectors: Enclosed in a glass-faced box, they absorb solar energy to heat water.
Insulated Tank: Stores hot water, maintaining temperature.
Plumbing: Connects the system components.

System Capacity

Industrial systems range from 500 liters per day (LPD) to 20,000 LPD.

Collector Types

Flat Plate Collectors:

Design: Consist of horizontal and vertical pipes (headers and risers) with absorber fins.
Operation: Heat-transfer fluid circulates through the pipes, collecting heat and transferring it to the storage tank.
Variations: Serpentine collectors use a single pipe but are unsuitable for drain-back systems due to drainage issues.

Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETC):

Design: Consist of concentric glass tubes with a vacuum in between, minimizing heat loss.
Efficiency: The vacuum acts as an insulator, making ETCs highly efficient.
Durability: Vacuum life ranges from 5 to 15 years.

Technical Specifications

System Internal Piping
(Tank and Collectors)

System Internal Pipine	Values
Type	GI " B" Class 1" BSP
Make	Jindal
Insulation	Rookwool 48 kg/m3 density
Thickness of insulation	50 mm
Cladding	Aluminum 26 SWG

Hot Water Storage Tank

Parameters	Values
Material	Mild Steel
Operating pressure	1.0 kg/sq.cm
Tank material thickness	4 mm
Capacity	1000 litres
Type of tank	Horizontal
Inner tank Coating	2 Coats Epoxy
Insulation	Rockwool
Thickness of insulation	100 mm
Tank outer cladding	Aluminium 22 SWG

Collector

Collector Parameters	Values
Type	Cu-Cu
Size	2000mm x 1000mm x 95mm
Absorptivity	> 0.95
Emissivity	< 0.12
Absorber Coating	Ultrasonic with Selective Coating
Frame material	Extruded aluminium, 16swg
Insulation	Rock wool / Fiber glass wool
Glazing	Toughened glass
Grommet	EPDM
Glass Beading	EPDM
Hardware	Stainless steel 304
Finish	Powder coated
Quantity	8 No's