SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS FOR DOMESTIC HOT WATER, SUPPLEMENTARY SPACE HEATING AND SWIMMING POOL HEATING

Calculation of the parameters of a Solar Thermal System

Using the information given on the "Questionnaire of Solar Thermal Systems" and the help of the computer software T*SOL, the analysis and determination of the parameters of the system is carried out. The software T*SOL gives us the opportunity to try a lot of combinations for the desired system such as different number of solar collectors, different inclination, different daily requirments of hot water, etc. For every combination the program carries out a different-unique simulation of a whole year, with intervals of 6 minutes with the meteorological data of the region we choose. The meteorological data are being saved on the database of the software and has data for Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos. After the determination of all parameters of the systems and the calculation of the final cost, we carry out the Economic Efficiency Simulation which tells us the Amortization Period of the system and the Net Present Value of the system in comparison with the Life span, the interest of the capital, the fuel price increase rate and the running costs of the system.

Short Description of a Solar Thermal System

In our Solar Thermal Systems we use Vacuum Tubes VTN Collectros with vacuum tubes internally equipped with U-type copper tubes and double fins for higher performance. The CPC reflector, made of highly reflecting aluminum, ensures high efficiency even under the most adverse solar conditions. The header is insulated with fibre glass and polyurethane and finished with black anodized aluminum. Standard size 12 VTN (other sizes from 6 to 16 tubes are available on request).

The produced energy from the collectors is being stored in the Floor Standing Tanks of the System. The range of these tanks extends from 150 liters to 1000 liters. All models can be either Simple Energy(without any heat exchanger), Double Energy(with one heat exchanger) or Triple Energy(with two heat exchangers). For Domestic Hot Water we use the Triple Energy modes with the one heat exchanger being used from the solar collectors circuit and the other heat exchanger from the central heating circuit for continuous hot water supply. For supporting the space heating circuit we use the Double Energy model with the heat exchanger being used from the solar collectors circuit.

The swimming pool heating is achieved with the help of a Heat Exchanger. The heat transfer medium passes through the heat exchanger and exchanges the heat energy with the swimming pool water that flows also in the heat exchanger. The two flows of the two liquids are crossed and the heat transfer passes from the heat transfer fluid to the swimming pool water.

The control of the whole solar thermal system is done by a controller, specially designed and developed for Solar Thermal Systems, from the Germal company RESOL. The solar controller allows control of the most complex solar systems and is equipped with a multi-lingual menu, 9 relay outputs and 15 sensor inputs as well as a multitude of add-on functions and options, which enable the adaptation of the controller to individual solar- and heating-systems. In addition to that, the controller offers up to two integrated calorimeters and allows the control of a weather-compensated heating circuit.

The Solar System has its own Pump Station. The station is a two-line solar pump station equipped with hydraulic components such as: solar thermal pump, pointer thermometers for feed flow and return flow, return flow line with ball valve and adjustable non-return valve, flowmeter with scale, security bracket with security valve and manometer, wall mounting and heat insulation for easy and compact installation.

DOCUMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

The government is forced by the E.U. to have the 20% of the whole produced energy from Renewable Energy Sources by 2020. For this reason it gives high subsidies for installing solar thermal systems that reach the 55% of the final cost of the system. The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

•  BUILDING PERMIT

•  PLOT DRAWING

•  RESIDENCE TITLE DEED

•  ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING (Roof Plan)