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No. CONTENTS Page No. (s)

1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM 2
3. WORKING OF A SOLAR WATER HEATER 3
4. MAIN COMPONENTS OF SOLAR WATER HEATING 4
SYSTEM
5. APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR WATER HEATER 4
6. TYPES OF SOLAR WATER HEATER 5
7. FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER 5
8. EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER 6
9. COMPARISON BETWEEN EVACUATED TUBE 6-8
COLLECTOR & FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR
10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 9-10
11. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 11
1. INTRODUCTION

 There has always been a gap between supply and demand of electric energy in Delhi
Especially during peak summer and winter seasons. The situation further worsens
during early hours of peak winter season when enormous heating load is switched
‘ON’. This has been a consistent problem. If the heating load is switched over to non
conventional source of energy, from conventional energy sources; the gap can be
bridged considerably. Therefore, there is a need to take up the measures to initiate
steps for adoption of ‘Solar Water Heating System’.

 ‘Solar Energy’ is an unlimited source of renewable energy. Solar Energy, if utilized,

shall not only bridge the gap between demand and supply of electricity but shall also
save money since running cost of appliances working on solar energy is negligible
shall also help in reducing pollution and maintenance of echo balance.

 Solar water heating is now a mature technology. Wide spread utilization of solar
water heaters can reduce a significant portion of the conventional energy being used
for heating water in homes, factories and other commercial & institutional
establishments. Internationally the market for solar water heaters has expanded
significantly during the last decade.

 ‘Solar Water Heating System’ is not a new name in India now. The technology is
easily available in our country and in use in almost all mega cities.

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2. SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM

 Solar water heating system is a device that helps in heating water by using the
energy from the SUN. This energy is totally free.

 Solar energy (sun rays) is used for heating water. Water is easily heated to a
temperature of 60-80˚ C.

 Solar water heaters (SWHs) of 100-300 liters capacity are suited for domestic use.

 Larger systems can be used in restaurants, canteens, guest houses, hotels,

hospitals etc.

 A 100 liters capacity SWH can replace an electric geyser for residential use and
may save approximately 1500 units of electricity annually.

 The use of 1000 SWHS of 100 liters capacity each can contribute to a peak load
saving of approximately 1 MW.

 A SWH of 100 liters capacity can prevent emission of 1.5 tonnes of carbon
dioxide per year.

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3. WORKING OF A SOLAR WATER HEATER

 The Sun’s rays fall on the collector panel (a component of solar water heating
system). A black absorbing surface (absorber) inside the collectors absorbs solar
radiation and transfers the heat energy to water flowing through it. Heated water is
collected in a tank which is insulated to prevent heat loss. Circulation of water from
the tank through the collectors and back to the tank continues automatically due to
thermo siphon system.


 Thermo

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4. MAIN COMPONENTS OF SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM

 Main components of solar water heater system are

 Solar Collector( to collect solar energy)
 Insulated tank (to store hot water)
 Supporting stand
 Connecting pipes and instrumentation etc.

5. APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR WATER HEATER

 Water heating is one of the most cost-effective uses of solar energy, providing hot
water for showers, dishwashers and clothes washers. Every year, several thousands of
new solar water heaters are installed worldwide.

 Solar water heaters can be used for Homes, Community Centers, Hospitals, Nursing
homes, Hotels, Restaurants, Dairy plants, Swimming Pools, Canteens, Ashrams,
Hostels, Industry etc.

 Use of solar water heater can curtail electricity or fuel bills considerably.

 Usage of solar water heater for any application where steam is produced using a
boiler or steam generator can save 70-80% of electricity or fuel bills.

 A residence can save 70-80% on electricity or fuel bills by replacing its conventional
water heater with a solar water heating system.

 Of all the solar energy devices available in the market, solar water heating systems
are found to be the most reliable, durable.

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 Solar water heater is backed up by the longest warranty period of all other solar
energy devices.
6. TYPES OF SOLAR WATER HEATER

Generally two types of solar water heater are available in the market:
Flat Plate solar water heater -
Solar radiation is absorbed by flat plate collectors which consist of an insulated outer
metallic box covered on the top with glass sheet.

Evacuated Tube Collector -

The Collector is made of double layer borosilicate glass tubes evacuated for providing
insulation.

7. FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER

 A black absorbing surface (absorber) inside the flat plate collectors absorbs solar
radiation and transfers the energy to water flowing through it. Bureau of Indian
Standards has standardized this type of solar heaters. IS 12933; 2003 details the
standards.

 Here the solar radiation is absorbed by flat plate collectors which consist of an
insulated outer metallic box covered on the top with glass sheet. Inside there are
blackened metallic absorber (selectively coated) sheets with built in channels or riser
tubes to carry water? The absorber absorbs the solar radiation and transfers the heat to
the flowing water.

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8. EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTOR SOLAR WATER HEATER

Here the collector is made of double layer borosilicate glass tubes evacuated for
providing insulation. The outer wall of the inner tube is coated with selective absorbing
material. This helps absorption of solar radiation and transfers the heat to the water which
flows through the inner tube.

The features of Evacuated tube collector are as under:-

 Highly efficient with excellent absorption (>93%) and minimum emittance (<7%) as
the tubes are round and sun rays are striking the tubes at right angles thus minimizing
reflection.
 The entire body is made of stainless steel. The storage tank is made of food grade
stainless steel SUS 304 2B with strong PUF insulation.
 There is an electrical backup for non sun shine days.
 No scaling in the glass tubes thus, suitable for areas with hard water.
 The installation procedure is very simple and the system is relatively maintenance
free.
 Available in many capacities 100, 200,500, 1000 LPD.
 It is affordable with only one time cost.

Solar collector evacuated tubes collect and convert sunshine energy into thermal energy,
which is transferred to the central heat pipes in the tubes through the aluminum fins
bridging the tube inner surfaces and the heat pipes. The copper heat pipes have tiny
amount of purified water sealed in them at depressurized condition. When heated, the
water inside the heat pipes vaporizes at low temperature (about 30˚ C). The vapor (steam)
rises to the pipe tips inserted into the water contained in the tank. Vapor is cooled down
and becomes condensate falling to the bottom of the pipes. By continuously circulating
this way, heat is carried from outside to the water inside the tank.

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9. COMPARISON BETWEEN EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTOR & FLAT
PLATE COLLECTOR:

Sl.No Evacuated Tube Collector Flat Plate Collector

1 Quick heat generation Slow heat generation
Collector efficiency on higher Collector efficiency on higher
2 temperature is high temperature is low.
Heat loss in the tubes during the daytime Heat loss in the collector & tank during
3 is negligible (evacuated tubes) the day-time is high due to convection.
Convection and Convecting losses are Convection and Convecting losses are
4 low. high.
5 Emissivity is low. Emissivity is high.
Satisfactory performance even in extreme Freezing of water will take place at high
6 cold condition (-18 deg. C) altitude causing damage to the collector.
Temperature range from 60deg. to 120 Temperature range from 60 deg. to 80
7 deg. deg.
Collector & tank insulated with
System hot water tank only is insulated glasswool/ rockwool, absorbs moisture
using polyurethane insulation material & gets wet during monsoons reducing
8 which does not absorb water or moisture the efficiency of the system
Heavy scaling of the copper/aluminum
Negligible scaling of tubes which can be tubes which cannot be cleaned manually
cleaned manually (inner tube dia. Is as the bore dia. is 12.50 mm. giving rise
37mm). Loss of efficiency consequently to substantial loss in efficiency of the
9 is minimal system.
The collector glass tube absorbers being
cylindrical the incident sun’s rays on the The collector fins & tubes being flat the
tubes are at 90 degrees throughout the incident sun’s rays will be at 90 degrees
10 day. Hence peak heat absorption always. at noon only for peak absorption

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 In locations with average availability of
solar energy over-sizing of the system Higher system sizing is required to get
11 glass tube collectors is not required. the desired result. Hence added cost.
12 Heat exchanger not required Heat exchanger required
Advanced technology at competitive
prices that is System Cost per unit water
13 is low. Old technology at higher prices
Hot water availability for 350 days in a Hot water availability for 300 days in a
14 year. year claimed.
15 System life above 20 years. System life above 20 years
Difficult and expensive to replace glass
16 It is very easy to replace glass tube. sheet
Water quality affects the heating system
17 Water quality does not affect the system. forming scale over metal tube.
18 It has low maintenance It requires high maintenance.
19 Grouting of Collectors not required. Grouting of collectors is required.

10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 How can the system be installed in multi storied buildings?

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• In new multi storied buildings under construction, the system can be installed on the
roof of the building with piping system designed accordingly for providing the hot water
to the flats.
• In existing multi storied building a small solar water heater can be mounted on the
window sill/door sill towards the south-west facing wall similar to desert cooler

 What would happen on cloudy days?

• The heating of water by the solar system will obviously be affected. If it is so cloudy
that energy received from the sun is almost zero, the output of solar collectors also will
be nil. On partially cloudy days some output can be expected. But, the system can be
designed with a suitable electrical back up heater to take care of hot water demand on
cloudy days.

 What would happen if water supply is irregular?

• A regular cold water supply, at a height of around 2.5 m is necessary for functioning of
the solar system. In case cold water is not available continuously, a separate cold water
tank may have to be installed, at least equal in capacity to the capacity of the solar
system.

 What is the expected life of a solar water heater?

• Typical solar water heaters made by using materials as per BIS specifications could last
for 15 -20 years depending upon the general upkeep, etc.

 Is any electricity required for operation of the solar water heater?

• No electricity is required for heating or circulation of water or for any other operation
in a solar water system. However, in case a back up heater is provided to take care of hot
water requirement during cloudy days, electricity will be required.

 How much time does it take to heat 1000 water?

• Normally on a sunshine day, it takes 3-4 hours to heat the total capacity of water in the
tank.

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 How will I get hot water in the morning?
• Hot water produced by the solar system during the day is stored in an insulated storage
tank. The insulation of the tank is such that water should remain hot without significant
drop in temperature for around 24 hrs. Thus water heated during the previous day should
be available for use in the next morning.

 What is the maximum possible temperature it could attain?

• About 60 to 80º C. The rise in temperature depends on:-
- Solar Radiation
- Weather Conditions

 What happens in winter when there is no sunshine or a foggy day?

The solar water heating system has a provision for electrical backup for such days. The
solar water heating system can be used normally like an electrical geyser during this kind
of weather.

 How much money do we have to spend for maintenance?

Maintenance is negligible in a solar water heating system.
- Periodic glass cleaning to clean dust which is settled on the collectors.
- Check for leakages and valve functioning, if any.

 How much do we have to spend on the installation apart from the system cost?
The system cost is inclusive of all installation costs. The cost of the piping depends on
the length of the pipe and the distribution network. Generally it varies from Rs. 150/- per
running meter (Cold water line) to Rs. 200 /- per running meter (Hot water insulated
line).

11. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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 Domestic solar systems do not require any special operational skills. However, if
following are observed, the efficiency of the systems will be maintained at a high
level.
 Try to consume most of the heated water at one time - either in the morning or in the
evening. Frequent on and off of the hot water tap would lead to reduced electricity
savings.
 If an electrical back up is provided in the tank, set the thermostat at the lowest
acceptable temperature.
 In the north Indian climate, hot water may not be used for bathing in summers. If the
system is to be put totally out of use, it should be drained of water and the collector
should be covered. Alternatively, if the hot water requirement remains in summers
also, though at a reduced level, cover the collector partially.
 Dust deposition on the collector would reduce its efficiency. Try to get it cleaned at
least once in a week.

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