Large-scale solar water heating systems analysis in Ethiopia: a case study

Abstract

Ethiopia is proximate to the Equator and receives adequate sunshine throughout the year, but the effective use of solar energy for large-scale applications is not yet adapted. This paper investigates the possible use of solar energy for large-scale water heating systems on the selected potential sites in the country. Global and diffuse radiations over the collector surfaces for all the selected sites are predicted from sunshine duration using numerical equations, and the transient analysis of the system is performed using a single glass cover flat plate collector solar water heater with riser and header type active system for a hot water supply temperature of 50°C. The total number of collectors, the size and number of storage tanks required and hot water temperature in the storage tank at each hour of a day and month of a year are also determined.