Solar Water Heating System with Phase Change Materials

Thermal energy storage has always been one of the most critical components in residential solar water heating applications. Solar radiation is a time-dependent energy source with an intermittent character. The heating demands of a residential house are also time dependent. However, the energy source and the demands of a house (or building), in general, do not match each other, especially in solar water heating applications. The peak solar radiation occurs near noon, but the peak heating demand is in the late evening or early morning when solar radiation is not available. Thermal energy storage provides a reservoir of energy to adjust this mismatch and to meet the energy needs at all times. It is used as a bridge to cross the gap between the energy source, the sun, the application and the building. So, thermal energy storage is essential in the solar heating system. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt has been taken to summarize the investigation of the solar water heating system incorporating with Phase Change Materials (PCMs). Copyright © 2009 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. All rights reserved.