Abstract
The total life cycle assessment or embodied energy payback period for renewable energy technologies is an important factor in determining their suitability as their use makes no sense if the energy required for their manufacture is more than they can save during their operational lifetime. This chapter describes the embodied energy payback period for an Integrated Collector/Storage Solar Water Heater (ICSSWH). The ICSSWH unit incorporates a novel heat retaining vessel and employs a new technique in the construction and assembly of the encompassing reflector panels. The thermal performance of the ICSSWH is experimentally determined and the potential annual energy savings are also predicted. A breakdown of the component materials and assembly process has been conducted and the embodied energy content of the unit is determined. The chapter also presents results of a Life Cycle Assessment for the unit in a Northern European location.
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