Solar Water Heating - System Design Requirements

System Design Requirements

The type, complexity, and size of a solar water heating system is mostly determined by:

• The temperature and amount of the water required from the system.
• Changes in ambient temperature and solar radiation between summer and winter.
• The changes in ambient temperature during the day-night cycle.
• The possibility of the potable water or collector fluid overheating.
• The possibility of the potable water or collector fluid freezing.

The minimum requirements of the system are typically determined by the amount or temperature of hot water required during winter, when a system's output and incoming water temperature are typically at their lowest. The maximum output of the system is determined by the need to prevent the water in the system from becoming too hot.