Solar Water Heaters: A Review of Systems Research and Design Innovation
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Brian Norton
Abstract
Solar water heating can be considered to be an established mature technology. The achievement of this status is the outcome of over a century of system development that culminated with a flourish of innovation in the last thirty years. Drivers for research and development have been achieving economic viability by devising systems that, for specific applications in particular climate contexts produced more hot water per unit cost. Reductions in both initial capital and installation costs have been achieved as well as in those associated with subsequent operation and maintenance. Research on solar water heating is discussed with the emphasis on overall systems though some key aspects of component development are also outlined. A comprehensive taxonomy is presented of the generic types of solar water heater that have emerged and their features, characteristics and performance are discussed.
Copyright © 2011 De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Short Reports
- Post-Fukushima Energy Policy in Europe, USA, China and India
- Durability of Solid Oxide Cells
- Toxicological Issues of Nanoparticles Employed in Photocatalysis
- Solar Water Heaters: A Review of Systems Research and Design Innovation
- Hydrogen Production Technologies From Solar Thermal Energy
- Experimental Investigation on a Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit for Solar Cooling Application
- Meteorological Aspects of Wind Park Design
- An Electrochemical Study of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Operating at Intermediate Temperature for Distributed Generation Applications
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Short Reports
- Post-Fukushima Energy Policy in Europe, USA, China and India
- Durability of Solid Oxide Cells
- Toxicological Issues of Nanoparticles Employed in Photocatalysis
- Solar Water Heaters: A Review of Systems Research and Design Innovation
- Hydrogen Production Technologies From Solar Thermal Energy
- Experimental Investigation on a Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit for Solar Cooling Application
- Meteorological Aspects of Wind Park Design
- An Electrochemical Study of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Operating at Intermediate Temperature for Distributed Generation Applications
