Solar water heater

The solar water system is the second most important source of solar energy after solar cookers.  Solar water systems are now increasingly being used in most households as well as in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.  It is also used in heating houses, circuit houses, hospitals, hotels, dairy industry, guest houses, temples and education, research institutes for hot water or boiler boilers.  In many places, wood, kerosene, coal, gas, or electricity are still used to heat water.  But all these sources of energy are becoming more and more expensive and unavailable day by day.  In places where wood or coal is used to heat water, the surrounding walls and ceiling are blackened by smoke and there is a good cost involved in repainting it.  The problem of women getting up early to light hot stoves for bathing in hot water in winter is surprising.  In addition, stove smoke spreads pollution in the home and also affects the health of women and children living in the kitchen for long periods of time.  Are new appliances like solar water heaters easier to heat water and also safer for health?  Therefore, using an oscillating water heater effectively is an excellent tool for heating water, saving time and fuel for more people.  A device that heats water with the heat of the sun's rays is called a solar water heater .

In the household solar hot water system, it is 75 degree Centigrade.  A special type of selective coating accumulator is designed to heat water up to temperature.  Solar water heaters for domestic use are capable of providing hot water up to 125 liters / day, 250 liters / day, and up to 500 liters / day.  Depending on the average consumption of 25 to 30 liters of hot water per person, a solar water heater with a capacity of 125 liters / day is sufficient for a family of 4 to 5 members.  This solar hot water system has been designed keeping in mind the need for hot water in winter season.  That is why it can provide warm water even in winter.  If we heat water with the help of solar energy, we can get rid of the cost of renewable energy sources.  Using this tool saves 1500 to 1700 power units in a year.  The money spent on this tool is repaid in just three to four years.

Solar hot water systems with a capacity of 500 liters / day or more are used in industrial areas.  Units can be set up to millions of liters / day as required.  All the dairies in Gujarat get the hot water required for various problems through solar hot water system.

How the Solar Hot Water System with a flat plate collector

The sun’s rays fall on the flatplate collector.  These rays then pass through the transparent glass and fall on the absorbent plate of the copper metal with a black surface and here the rays are absorbed as heat and then heat the water in the copper tubes.  Since this heated water is lighter in weight than cold water, it naturally goes into the hot water collector tank arranged above the flat plate collector.  Simultaneously cold water from the bottom comes into the flat plate collector.  This is how water circulates continuously.

Freezing of salts in the copper tubes in the flat plate collector obstructs heat conduction and often even stops the flow of water.  This causes the whole system to stop working.  Therefore, where heavy water is used, the salt accumulated in the copper tubes in the flat plate collector should be removed periodically.  The estimated cost of such a system is Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 22,000 per 125 liters.

How to operate a solar hot water system with an  actuated tube collector

The sun’s rays fall on the evacuated tube collector.  These rays then pass through a transparent glass tube on the outside and fall on the black surface on the glass on the inside and here the rays are absorbed as heat and then heat the water in the black glass tubes.  Since this heated water is lighter in weight than cold water, it naturally goes into the hot water collector tank arranged above the collector.  In this way the constant circulation of water is done through the same evacuated tube.  Water heated in sunlight during the day is deposited in an insulated collector tank.  So even in the early morning and late at night we get hot water from the tap in the bathroom.  The estimated cost of this type of system is Rs.14,000 to Rs. 18,000 per 125 liters.

The water in the solar water heater from the heat of the sun is 65 to 85 C.  Heat to temperature.  Even on blue or rainy days, warm water can be obtained through solar water heaters.  The amount of hot water depends on the capacity of the system.  Heat loss is reduced if the pipeline connecting the collector tank and the bathroom faucet is short.

For efficient use of solar hot water system, the accumulated dust on the solar collector should be cleaned every week.  Apart from this, there is nothing special to be done for its management.  Yes, if hot water is not used for bathing in summer, then if we use the water for self-washing or washing dishes, it will stop salting.  In addition, grease, soap or washing powder are also saved.

To configure the system it is necessary to choose an open space where there is no shade.  The solar collector should be tilted to the south so that the sun's rays can always be found.  Adequate cold water system is required where this device is installed.  Also, the cold water tank should be about 3 to 4 feet higher than the hot water tank.  The system can also be mounted on an terrace or a weight-bearing roof.  It is advisable to arrange the system near the place where hot water is required.  This will stop the dissipation of heat energy in hot water.  A space of approximately 3.5 x 3.5 meters is required to set up a system of 125 liters / day capacity.