Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

Graham MorrisonSchool of Mechanical Engineering

University of New South Wales

SOLAR WATER HEATINGANZSES NSW seminar 2006

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

THERMOSYPHON SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Flat-plate collectors with direct connection to a horizontal tank

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

PUMPED SOLAR WATER HEATER

Component matching has a significant effect on performance

Both pumped and thermosyphon system performance maximised by Low Flow design to improving thermal stratification in the storage tank.

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

Pumped circulation

Frees placement of collectorand tank

Pump controller

PUMPED CIRCULATION SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

PUMPED CIRCULATION SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Pump controller

Pumped circulation with heat exchanger for freeze protection design flexibility

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

PLASTIC INTEGRAL SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Insulated-tank integral system Fully integrated collector/ tank

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTOR

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

FLOODED EVACUATED TUBE SOLAR WATER HEATER

Most common system in China

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

LARGE SCALE USE OF SOLAR WATER HEATING IN CHINA

Large arrays of evacuated tubes for commercial heat systems Full utilization of high rise building roof for solar water heaters

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR BOOSTED HEAT PUMPS

Small refrigerant compressorused to move heat from low temperature solar collector (heat pump evaporator) to high temperature water tank.

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

GLOBAL INSTALLED CAPACITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN 2001

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR WATER HEATING COLLECTOR AREA IN USE 2001

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR WATER HEATING COLLECTOR AREA IN USE PER 1000 INHABITANTS

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

INSTALLED CAPACITY OF SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS IN 2001MW output under clear sky conditions

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

INSTALLED CAPACITY OF SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS IN 2001MW output under clear sky conditions

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR WATER HEATER PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA

0

10

20

30

40

50

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Year

Aus

tral

ian

Prod

uctio

n (1

000/

year

)

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR WATER HEATER DESIGN INNOVATIONS

High efficiency flat plate solar collectors Evacuated tubular collectors Low flow rate system design Computer control of solar loop and electric

boosting Solar preheating with gas boosting Low cost integral plastic solar water heaters Heat pump water heaters

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCYIMPROVEMENTS

Improved selective surfaces (sputtering of wide absorber sheets)

Laser welding of absorber and risers Anti-reflection coatings on glass cover Optimisation of flat plate cover spacing, insulation and

casing design Evacuated tube absorbers

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

SOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1(Tm-Ta)/G

Effic

ienc

y

G = 800 W/m2

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

PERFORMANCE INFORMATIONThe energy savings achieved by solar water heaters are publishedby The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria.

Public information on product performance has promoted competition between manufacturers that has resulted in significant product innovation.

The requirement that products in the Renewable Energy Credit program meet Australian product quality standard AS2712 has had a significant impact on the quality of solar water heaters.

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

CROSS SUBSIDY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

(really a carbon tax but dont tell John)

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

WHERE TO GO FOR INFORMATION ON RECs

www.orer.gov.au (not really useful for home owners)

Solar Thermal Energy The University of New South Wales

WHERE TO GO FOR LOCAL INFORMATION ON SOLAR WATER HEATING

greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome

seav.sustainability.vic.gov.au

SOLAR WATER HEATINGANZSES NSW seminar 2006THERMOSYPHON SOLAR WATER HEATERS PUMPED SOLAR WATER HEATERPUMPED CIRCULATION SOLAR WATER HEATERSPLASTIC INTEGRAL SOLAR WATER HEATERSEVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORFLOODED EVACUATED TUBE SOLAR WATER HEATERLARGE SCALE USE OF SOLAR WATER HEATING IN CHINASOLAR BOOSTED HEAT PUMPSAIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPSAIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERSGLOBAL INSTALLED CAPACITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN 2001 SOLAR WATER HEATING COLLECTOR AREA IN USE 2001SOLAR WATER HEATING COLLECTOR AREA IN USE PER 1000 INHABITANTSSOLAR WATER HEATER PRODUCTION IN AUSTRALIA SOLAR WATER HEATER DESIGN INNOVATIONSSOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCYIMPROVEMENTSSOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE INFORMATIONCROSS SUBSIDY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY(really a carbon tax but dont tell John)WHERE TO GO FOR INFORMATION ON RECsWHERE TO GO FOR LOCAL INFORMATION ON SOLAR WATER HEATING