Integrated collector storage solar water heaters

Abstract

The Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater (ICSSWH) developed from early systems comprised simply of a simple black tank placed in the sun. The ICSSWH, by its combined collection and storage function suffers substantial heat losses to ambient, especially at night-time and non-collection periods. To be viable economically, the system has evolved to incorporate new and novel methods of maximising solar radiation collection whilst minimising thermal loss. Advances in ICS vessel design have included glazing system, methods of insulation, reflector configurations, use of evacuation, internal and external baffles and phase change materials.