Consumption profile based analysis of solar thermal system for DHW in buildings

Abstract

Solar thermal system for domestic hot water (DHW) is one of the most common application for utilizing solar energy. Consumption profile of hot water has a significant impact on solar DHW sizing as it relates many uncertainties regarding human nature, which is difficult to predict therefore. The size of solar thermal system is roughly estimated in most cases which can results operational difficulties and efficiency losses. In this paper, different DHW consumption profiles have been analysed. The influential parameters on consumption, sizing methods and proposed modelling techniques for solar DHW are discussed and concluded with findings of several case studies.