1. What is a Solar Powered Tank Heating Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the solar power required to heat a tank of liquid to a desired temperature within a specified time period.

Purpose: It helps engineers, solar installers, and homeowners determine the solar power system size needed for water heating applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Required solar power (Watts)
• \( V \) — Tank volume (cubic meters)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (Kelvin)
• \( c \) — Heat capacity of liquid (J/m³ K)
• \( t \) — Heating time (seconds)
• \( \eta \) — System efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The formula calculates the energy needed to heat the liquid and divides by time and efficiency to get required power.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power estimation ensures proper system sizing, energy efficiency, and cost-effective solar installations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter tank volume, desired temperature increase, heat capacity (default 4186000 J/m³ K for water), heating time, and system efficiency (default 0.7). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical heat capacity for water?
A: Water has a heat capacity of about 4186000 J/m³ K (or 4186 J/kg K with density of 1000 kg/m³).

Q2: How do I convert hours to seconds?
A: Multiply hours by 3600 (e.g., 2 hours = 7200 seconds).

Q3: What affects system efficiency?
A: Collector type (0.3-0.8), insulation (0.7-0.95), piping losses, and heat exchanger efficiency.

Q4: How do I account for heat losses?
A: Either increase the required power by 10-20% or decrease the efficiency value accordingly.

Q5: Can I use this for other liquids?
A: Yes, but you must use the correct heat capacity value for your specific liquid.