Technological Description

Installation of heating system combined with solar assist system for heating and production of domestic hot water.

Solar thermal systems (STS) convert solar radiation into thermal energy.  Similar to the greenhouse effect solar panels have an absorbent material which collects sunlight, converts it into thermal energy and binds it with a glass cover. The thermal energy is transferred to water which is collected in storage tanks.

A typical solar system for domestic hot water (known as solar thermosiphon) consists of solar collectors and a storage container of hot water.

A thermal solar system for domestic hot water and heating consists of solar panels of high absorption (selective, vacuum collectors), storage tank, piping and control system (pump, expansion tank, a differential thermostat and other materials).

The solar collectors are usually placed on the roof facing south and tilted 30˚ to 60˚, maximizing thus the amount of radiation collected.

In a solar thermal system, solar energy is collected, stored and distributed through a liquid that plays the role of the heat transfer medium. An active solar system can be used for

• production of domestic hot water,
• heating and cooling of rooms and surfaces or swimming pools,
• industrial processes,
• desalination etc.

Heating and domestic hot water supply from solar systems is an application that rapidly evolves in Renewable Energy Sources (RES). When combined with a proper  building design (orientation, good insulation, etc.) such an application becomes by far the most efficient solution in both technical and economic terms. After an adequate study for the maximization of a system’s efficiency, a solar thermal system can work be set as the primary heating solution.