Installing Solar Water Heating Systems, India Perspective.
Solar Water Heating Systems are an integral feature of any green building. Solar water heating systems are employed even in conventional buildings for energy efficient measures. Today, there are many solar water heating systems which can be employed to even get temperatures more than the boiling water temperatures. But the common ones which are in domestic use can give easily temperatures up to 65 deg C. Water heating systems employ flat plate collectors which have copper tubes to transfer the heat from solar radiation to the water stored in the copper tubes. Hot water is circulated in the system through either thermosyphon or motor driven pumps. Water heating systems are available in various capacities. For domestic usages the capacities ranges from 100 lpd (Litres per day) to 1000 lpd based on the requirement and number of inhabitants required to be served. A normal human being living in the urban areas need about 165 lpd. Capacity of a water heating system can be worked out on the basis of lifestyle of inhabitants, physical requirement and wastages in the system.
Industrial solar water heating systems start from 5000 lpd. Hot water is required in large quantities in hotels, restaurants and other plants. With about 320 sunny days out of possible 365 days available in India, solar water heating systems present a great opportunity in energy savings. It has been found that a well maintained water heating system has a payback period of 3-4 years based on the utilization level.
Winters are an ideal period in Northern part of India, where solar water heating systems are put to maximum use. Every green building is mandated to utilize solar energy to the maximum in their daily usages.
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Need to know from a user of solar heating water system…
1) is the water temperature comparable to that of geyser
2). Is there a lot of maintenance headache
3) in case of glitches… Does one need a stand by geyser
Decent Solar Water Heating systems give you water @ about 60 deg C. In India, sunny days are taken on an average for 320 days out of possible 365 days. You would need backup for these non sunny days.