Solar water heaters based on concrete collectors

Abstract

In the present paper, a study has been carried out on the solar concrete collectors providing domestic hot water. The cement concrete collectors are made up of thin cement concrete slabs with a network of aluminum pipes embedded over its surface. No glazing on the top of the cement collector solar collector or insulation at the back have been used as in conventional solar water heaters. Although concrete collectors without glazing at the top are less efficient they can provide moderate hot water to meet the various requirements of the building during the day. The cement concrete solar collectors have been tested for water heating for several years and the results are presented. This knowledge can be used by architects for designing the roof of the building which may serve as a low cost solar collector to provide hot water at moderate temperature in buildings for meeting various purposes during the daytime.