Maximization of solar thermal energy harnessing using evacuated tube solar collector

Abstract

Due to the growing demand of natural resources such as coal, natural gas, and fossil fuels, which are limited in supply, the cost of these natural resources gradually increases as it becomes less abundant. Thus, this problem has shifted the attention of researchers on the necessity for other energy source at a reasonable price.

As an alternative means to having power, solar domestic water system has been very popular in recent years. In this report, ways to maximize the use of solar thermal energy harnessing using an Evacuated Tube solar Collector is studied. The effect on the connection, either in parallel or series, of the solar collectors is evaluated and analysed via simulation with TRNSYS, a simulation program. The difference in temperature between the output of the solar collector and the input of the thermal storage tank is being observed to find out the maximum energy being harnessed.

Out of all the collectors, ETC is being selected as it could provide better efficiency than the other collectors. Together with other components, other parameters such as flow rate, efficiency are taken into account to harness the maximum thermal energy.

Single collectors cannot collect as much solar energy compared to the multiple collectors due to the collector’s surface area. There are advantages and disadvantages in connecting these collectors in parallel and/or series. Series collector has less heat loss resulting in a higher efficiency between the collector and tank. With the lower temperature difference for the series connected ETC, the heat harnessed should be more as compared to the parallel. Findings and evaluations have been done to prove the theory with the simulated results.