Introduction

The incidence of radiation energy on the continents by the sun amounts to upto
219,000,000 billion kWh per year. This corresponds to the 2500-fold of the present
world energy demand.1

Figure 1: Solar Thermal System2

A solar thermal system converts sunlight into heat and consists of the following
components:

• collector

• storage technology (e.g. boiler, combined storage)

• solar regulator system (e.g. temperature difference control)

The key element of solar thermal system is the solar thermal collector, which
absorbs solar radiation. The purpose of the collector is to convert the sunlight very
efficiently into heat. Solar heat is transmitted to a fluid, which transports the heat to
the heat exchanger via pumps with a minimum of heat loss. The exchanger
transfers the heat into the domestic hot water store. The distance between collector
and storage tank should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss. There are
two solar thermal systems:

solar heating system to produce hot domestic water

solar power system as supplementary heating

1
AEE- Institut für Nachhaltige Technoloien; Gottfried Purkarthofer, Technologieportrait Solarthermie
2
http://www.crem-ltd.com/images/image011.jpg (last visited 07-03-2012)
 Figure 2: Flat-plate-collector3

Figure 3: Evacuated-tube-collector4

Two main types of solar thermal collectors are available: the evacuated-tube collector
and the flat-plate collector. An evacuated-tube collector is made of parallel glass
tubes. Each tube contains two glass tubes: the outer glass tube and the inner glass
tube. Between the two glass tubes there is a vacuum which allows small heat loss.
The absorber is included in a tube. The flat-plate collector consists of an insulated
(bottom and side) box with a glass or plastic cover on the top and a solar absorber
located at the bottom. Almost 90% of all collectors in Germany are flat-plate
collectors.
Table 1: Comparison of evacuated-tube and flat-plate collector
 Evacuated-Tube Collector Flat-Plate Collector

Very expensive Price below evacuated-tube collector

Air is evacuated elimination of heat loss Air is not evacuated heat loss

Can achieve high temperatures (77-177°C Lower temperature can be achieved (30-70°C (86-
(170-350°F)) high efficiency 158°F))

For cloudy and freezing climates Simple construction

About 2.1 million square meters of collector space have recently been installed in
Germany (2008). The total collector area in Germany is about 11.3 million square
metres (end of 2008). The total capacity amount is 7.9 giga watt in Germany (end of
2008) whereof 1.470 mega watt were the capacity of newly installed collectors in
2008. Our current research shows that projects of solar thermal energy are being
realised mainly in the private sector. The activities of the commercial sector focus on
potential analysis and studies in particular.

Figure 4: Share of the EU solar thermal market 20084

In the light of climate change and rising gas and oil prices, the solar thermal market
in the EU and Switzerland had a growth by 60% to 3.3 GW th of new capacity, i.e.
4.75 million m2 of collector area in 2008. In Germany the demand for solar thermal
technology has more than doubled and has also grown strongly in smaller
markets.5
Applications by partners

Blackpool Council

Solar heating
The detrimental issues surrounding roof mounted photovoltaic panels also apply to
the provision of solar heating installations in that the high winds containing salt
spray and abrasive sand would both impair the efficiency of the units and reduce
their lifespan. This would make this potential sustainable energy provider an
unfavourable option at Starr Gate tram depot, as it would greatly increase the
payback period for such an installation.

Grand DIJON

Description
Justification of choice for this project
The following elements of the project of Grand Dijon made it possible to retain the
choice of solar collectors for the production of sanitary warm water:

• the need for sanitary warm water is constant throughout the year

• available surface allows the installation of solar panels, directed and inclined
in a optimal way

• reduction of fossil energy consumption by solar energy utilisation

Presentation of installation
The production of sanitary warm water for the workshop buildings is guaranteed by
solar collectors installed on the roof coupled to the gas generator with a suction
cup. The main features of the thermal solar installation are as follows:

• entire surface installed: 9,2 square metres

• number of collectors: 4

• collector type: Vitosol 200F by VIESSMANN (or a technical equivalent)

• orientation: south

• inclination: 35°
 • solar tank: 500l, type VITOCELL 100-V CVA by VIESSMANN

• auxiliary tank: 230l tank with gas and a horizontal suction cup

• TURBO type SANIGAZ 230-18 by Atlantic-Guillot

The simulations of solar production of sanitary warm water allowed the design of
this installation and provided the following results:

• cover rate of needs: 50%

• annual productivity: 533 kWh/square metre

• 150 kg to 250 kg equivalent CO2 avoided by the collector per square metre
and year

Operation and guarantees

A SGR, “Solar Guarantee of Results”, is being carried out. SGR results in a
collaboration of technical operators of the project: the manufacturer of solar
collectors, the fitter and owner assisted by their technical engineers. They jointly
guarantee a minimum level of annual supply of thermal kWh of solar origin for 3 to
5 years. During this period, the real production of the installation must be at least
90% of the calculated production. If this agreement is not respected, a
compensatory allowance has to be paid to the customer.

The solar installation is equipped with a device that allows remote monitoring which
makes the counting of monthly solar energy possible. This possibility of constantly
supervising the performance of the installation was an obligation. The solar
installation is thus provided with a tele-controller connected to the phone network,
which immediately informs the person in charge of operation failures or faulty
devices during the installation.

Maintenance
The maintenance happens periodically (two visits per year) and continuously helps
to extend the life span of the equipment.
 Figure 5: Installation of solar collectors

Key figures
The following check-ups need to be done when examining the equipment:

SOLAR COLLECTORS

• general visual monitoring of the collectors (broken windows, deterioration of

joints or insulation) and cleaning

• control purging of the collectors

• controlling the temperature of each battery exit of the collectors

• checking the position of the balancing valves

TECHNICAL PREMISE:

• pressure of the primary education circuit to complement antifreeze

• operation of the relief valve of primary education circuit

• statements about the temperature of the exchanger and (X) balloon (S)

• measure of differential pressure of primary education circulator

• operation of the valves

 • operation of the sanitary valves

• functional check of the volumeters

• absence of escapes and abnormal noises

• inversion of the engines of double circulators of primary and secondary

education

• measure of the flow of primary education circuit

• control of vent cocks, surge tank and anodes

Experiences
In “low energy consumption” buildings the production of sanitary water has become
a major source of energy consumption. In fact, the efforts made to reduce the
heating energy have to be extended to other energy items, like the production of
warm sanitary water.

The use of renewable energy for warm sanitary water production is necessary to
reduce the environmental impact of the building. Hence, Grand Dijon decided for
the most developed system using renewable energy in France: solar thermic.

This intention to reduce the energy consumption of warm sanitary water must be
combined with a reduction of need. So before considering which system might be
appropriate, it is essential to first reduce the need for warm water.

The following water-thrifty installations help to reach this target:

• pressure reducer: limiting alimentation pressure of the taps to 3 bar

• economic shower heads: a classic shower head consumes 20 l/min whilst an

economic one consumes between 6.5 to 9 l/min (it explodes water drops and
optimises the power of the shower head)

• shower regulator: the flow regulator can reduce the consumption of water up
to 8 l/min

• mixing taps with time delay: limiting water flow to user’s needs

• tap-nozzle: limiting flow from 15 – 20 l/min to 5 - 8 l/min

Advantages and disadvantages

ADVANTAGES:
 • use of renewable energy

• no polluting emission

• an annual equivalent of 150 kg to 250 kg CO2 avoided per square metre by

the collector

• the auxiliary energy source can be changed easily, depending on energetic

availability.

DISADVANTAGES:

Maintenance cost
In this case the size of the installation was particularly difficult because it was
complicated to evaluate the real need of warm water. We had to consider a
hypothetical use of the showers in order to estimate the need. But the real use can
be different and the installation less efficient than expected.

The suggested version for the Beverwaard depot is the “cv- zonneboiler” as shown
in figure 7.

Key figures
Hot water for showers – Chosen system
The technical bureau Massier BV is responsible for all technical building
installations at Beverwaard depot. To produce hot water they decided to install a
sun energy system by ZEN Renewals.

The installation consists of:

• a sun boiler SDB 300 T, 300 liter for hot tap water

• integral drain back spiral and a spiral for reheating, connecting piping, a
pump and an electronic control unit

• a flat plate sun thermal collector S4200, 2 pieces each 4,12 square metres •

piping between collectors and sun boiler

 Figure 8: Section drawing of a collector

This installation is based on using water for 8 showers:

• A total use of 1.8 m3/h of mixed water with a temperature of 38°C (defined by
the operation basis and the qVn-method)

• The boiler barrel of 300 liter is equipped by a second spiral, which is

connected to the heating device which is currently being used.

• On the roof above the office area, two collectors with a dimension of
1,8x2,6m will be placed near the boiler

The system is equipped with a recoil system, the so-called Drain-Back system. The
Drain-Back system protects the system against overheating of the boiler and
freezing of the collector. The closed Drain-Back system raises durability, safety and
reliability.

Figure 9: Principle of drain-back system

The maintenance costs of the closed Drain-Back system are low and it does not
contain chemicals like anti freeze or anti corrosion additional. Any corrosion is
prevented as there is no oxygen within the closed system. The lifespan of this
system is about 25 - 30 years.

Less CO2 emissions according to supplier

The supplier estimated the expected savings of CO2 emissions. The table below
shows the results of the decrease compared to electrical heating systems and gas
heating systems. The calculated values are based on the consumption of an
average family. The installation at Beverwaard has a collector area of 8.24 square
metres of effective surface so CO2 savings will be higher.
Table 2: Overview of CO2 savings in electricity and natural gas according to system size

Advantages and disadvantages

These systems have been tested extensively and are thoroughly developed. They
can be installed in a simple, cost effective manner so they are the logical choice for
any consumer in this field as there are no known disadvantages.
STIB
Remarks
As there are several showers within the building, hot water is essential. The
investment will result in a reduction of 30% to 50% of energy consumption for water
heating. A solar boiler produces hot water by using solar energy. The system
requires thermal solar collectors to be installed on the roof and works on sloping as
well as on flat roofs. The best location for these collectors is a position towards
south at an inclination angle of 45°.

Figure 10: Image of solar boiler installation

Other degrees of inclination and set-ups are possible but they are not as effective in
terms of energy yield. Solar collectors contain liquid that is heated by sunlight,
which diffuses its heat to the water inside the solar boiler.

In summer the boiler heats water to a temperature, which meets the required
comfortable temperature. In winter additional heating (gas or biomass) is required.
A detailed study will demonstrate the economic optimum between investment costs
and reduced energy costs. Orientation, position and degree of coverage are
important parameters for this study. At this stage STIB has not yet received the
planning permission for the construction of Marconi depot and studies have not yet
been commissioned or initiated.

External applications