Solar Hot Water Heater Calculator

Energy Formula:

\[ E = A \times \eta \times G \]

Energy Output (kWh):

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1. What is a Solar Hot Water Heater Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the energy output of a solar hot water system based on collector area, system efficiency, and solar radiation.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and installers determine the potential energy production of solar thermal systems for water heating.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ E = A \times \eta \times G \]

Where:

\( E \) — Energy output (kWh)
\( A \) — Collector area (m²)
\( \eta \) — System efficiency (0-1)
\( G \) — Solar radiation (kWh/m²)

Explanation: The energy output is calculated by multiplying the collector area by the system efficiency and the available solar radiation.

3. Importance of Solar Thermal Calculations

Details: Accurate energy calculations help in system sizing, cost estimation, and performance prediction of solar water heating installations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the collector area in square meters, system efficiency (default 0.65), and solar radiation (default 5.0 kWh/m²). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical system efficiency?
A: Most solar thermal systems have efficiencies between 0.5-0.7 (50-70%), with 0.65 being a common average value.

Q2: How do I find solar radiation data?
A: Use local solar maps or databases like NASA's POWER or PVGIS for your specific location.

Q3: Does this account for daily variations?
A: No, this calculates instantaneous energy. For daily totals, multiply by average sun hours.

Q4: What collector area should I use?
A: Use the total aperture area of all collectors in your system.

Q5: How does this relate to water heating capacity?
A: 1 kWh can heat about 23 liters of water by 40°C (from 20°C to 60°C).