Solar Water Heating

Technology Outline

• Solar Collector Types
• Solar Collector Performance
• Storage Tank and Ancillary Equipment
• Common Types of Solar Water Heating System
• Packaged Type Solar Water Heaters
• Applications of solar water heating systems

Solar water heating systems harness the heat in solar radiation to produce hot water. Domestic solar water heating system usually comprises of solar collectors and a water tank. The solar collectors absorb the heat in solar radiation to heat up water, either directly or indirectly. The hot water so produced is stored in the storage tank for subsequent use. An alternative arrangement is to use a packaged type solar water heater, with solar collectors and an insulated storage tank packaged together in one integrated unit.

Usually a solar water heating system is designed to fulfill a major part of the hot water requirements of the premise, with the rest being made up by electric heating (or gas heating).

Above: A small solar water heating installation at a fire station in Hong Kong