- Introduction
Thesis: The main steps in the process of heating water using solar thermal panel are (1) trapping the sun’s energy, (2) Heating water, (3) Storing hot water, and (4) Distributing hot water to points of use.
- Trapping sun (solar) energy
Solar thermal panel is a system designed for heating water using free heat from the sun. It converts sunlight directly into heat making converted heat available for different applications. Various factors affect the amount of solar energy collected in a panel. These are geographical location, season, time of the day, local weather and local landscape. The solar thermal panel collecting system is designed according to the collector type and mounting; storage volume; and system configuration in order to give out the required temperature and at the correct volume. The maximum allowed variation is 450, mounted at an angle frame and rise to flow outlet. The glazing material is transparent and non-reflective tom solar radiation. The most commonly used collector is a flat panel and evacuated tube collectors for higher temperatures (Roger 5-7). Figure 1 shows a solar thermal collector panel.
Figure 1: Solar thermal trapping panel
- Heating water
The solar thermal panel can heat water to low temperatures of 950C, medium temperatures of 2500C and high temperatures of 4000C. In addition, the system can be used in driving thermal cooling machines hence, a source of energy for cooling. The solar heating panel has a nominal capacity as specified in order to hold the highest water level. Firstly, the solar energy from the sun enters the panel through a transparent glass. The panel is painted black inside that allows it absorb and retain more heat energy. Once the heat energy is absorbed, it heats the flow tubes that are laid inside the panel and heats the liquid inside the tubes. Once the liquid is hot enough, it flows into the hot liquid collector. The fluid is circulated back to the collector when temperature reduces. The primary hot (flow and return pipes) and secondary hot water and circulation pipes are insulated with fiber retardant materials (Active Solar Heating Design Manual 20-24).
- Storing of hot water
Once the water is heated, it is collected in a hot water storage tank. The tank is insulated to avoid losing heat to the atmosphere hence, ensures heated water stay hot for the intended purpose. In most cases, the tanks are made with 50 mm thick fiber glass lagging. In addition, the storage tank has pumps, controls, monitoring and heat exchangers. The fluid storage tank must be efficient in order to ensure the fluid is maintained at the recommended temperature at all times. Once the water falls below the recommended temperature, the controls send a signal to the pump. The pump is used to pump cold water back into the solar thermal heating panel. On the other hand, heat exchangers ensure fluid temperatures conform to the manufacturer’s standards (Waite 21-25).
- Distributing hot water to points of use
- Conclusion
Paraphrased thesis: The use of solar thermal panel involves three major steps: solar trapping, heating, and storage.
Works cited
Active Solar Heating Design Manual. Improving the Efficiency of R & D and the Market
Diffusion of Energy Technologies. New York: Physica-Verlag HD, 2009. Print.
Roger T. Solar thermal technology and applications, NREL. 2006
Waite, O. Advances in Solar Power. New Delhi: World Technologies, 2011. Print.
