Solar Thermal Energy

Dr Aklilu Tesfamichael
 Objectives
• Performance and limitations of
solar conversion technologies
• Undertake simple system design
for solar energy conversion
systems.
Content
1. Low temperature solar energy applications, domestic
hot water heater and space heating
2. Active solar heating, solar collectors
3. Day lighting, Trombe wall concept
 Types of Solar Collectors
Solar Thermal Energy

• Collectors and working temperature



Low temperature

Medium
temperature

High temperature
 Water heating

 Solar water heater systems are a well-tried and

tested technology.
 They are suitable for both new-build and retrofit.
 A system will typically provide 60-70% of domestic
hot water needs over a year.
 There are many possible designs for a solar water
heater.
 Components of Solar Water Heaters

 In general, it consists of three main components:

1. Solar collector, which converts solar radiation into

useable heat.
2. Heat exchanger and pump
3. Storage tank to store the solar heated water.
 Solar Collectors

 There are two types of solar collectors:

1. Flat plate solar collector.

 Unglazed flat plate solar collector.

 Glazed flat plate solar collector.

2. Evacuated tube solar collector.
 Flat-plate collector

• Use both beam and diffuse solar radiation, do not

require tracking of the sun, and are low-maintenance,
inexpensive and mechanically simple.
Unglazed Solar Collectors

• Low cost
• Low temperature
• Lightweight
• Seasonal pool
heating

• Low pressure
• Poor performance in cold or windy weather
 Glazed Flat Plate Solar Collectors

 Moderate cost
 Higher temperature operation
 Can operate at mains water pressure
 Heavier and more fragile
 Evacuated Tube Collectors
• Higher cost, No convection losses, High temperature, Cold climates, Fragile

• Installation can be more complicated.

 Types of water circulating
 Water circulating might be passive and active
systems.
 Passive systems rely on gravity and the tendency
for water to naturally circulate as it is heated,
allowing water or heat-transfer fluid to move
through the system without pumps.
 Passive solar water heating system
 Easy to install and
maintain; no moving parts
 Uses no electricity;
 Storage tank must be
located above the
collector level

Pumping only occurs when panel is hot

 Active Solar heating system

 The pump circulates the heat-transfer fluid from the collector panels through
the heat exchanger in the hot water cylinder and back to the solar collectors
for re-heating.
 The temperature sensors ensure that fluid is only circulated when the fluid in
the collectors is hotter than in the cylinder.

The main components on an active solar water heating system are

 Solar collector
 Pump/s
 Storage tank
 Back up heating system
 Control system
Advantages of active circulation:
 Overheat control
 Heat is delivered from the collector at optimal rate
 Greater choice of collector and pipe layout
Disadvantages of active circulation:
 Increased complexity
 Pump requires electricity (though this can be
alleviated by PV supply)
 More expensive
Active solar heating system
 Active solar heating circuits

 Primary circuits transfer may be Direct (Open) or,

the more usual Indirect (closed):
Direct (Open) circuits
 Direct circuits are those that directly heat the water
that flows from the household taps. They are rarely
used.
Advantages of direct circuits :
 Simplicity and increased efficiency over indirect
circuits through reduction of heat transfer loss.
Active open loop system

Active indirect system

 summary
Solar collectors
Flat plate solar collector.
• Unglazed flat plate solar collector.

• Glazed flat plate solar collector.

Evacuated tube solar collector

Water circulation
• Passive (thermosyphon)

• Active
– Direct (Open) or, the more usual Indirect (closed)