How Do You Calculate the Necessary Collector Area for a Solar Water Heater?

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SUMMARY

To calculate the necessary collector area for a solar water heater, one must consider the energy required to heat 200 liters of water from 20°C to 40°C within one hour, using the formula Q = mcΔt. Given that 80% of the incident solar energy is lost, the effective intensity of sunlight is 140 W/m² (20% of 700 W/m²). The required collector area can be determined by rearranging the energy equations and solving for area based on the effective solar energy absorbed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics, specifically the concepts of heat transfer and energy calculations.
  • Familiarity with the formula Q = mcΔt for calculating heat energy.
  • Basic knowledge of solar energy principles and collector efficiency.
  • Ability to manipulate equations and solve for variables in physics problems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research solar collector efficiency and methods to minimize energy loss.
  • Learn about the specific heat capacity of water and its implications in thermal calculations.
  • Explore different types of solar water heaters and their design considerations.
  • Investigate solar radiation intensity variations based on geographic location and time of year.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying renewable energy, engineers designing solar thermal systems, and anyone interested in optimizing solar water heating solutions.

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Homework Statement



In a solar water heater, energy from the Sun is gathered by rooftop collectors, which circulate water through tubes in the collector. The solar radiation enters the collector through a transparent cover and warms the water in the tubes. Assuming that 80% of the incident solar energy gets lost (i.e; it does not go into heating the water), what collector area is necessary to take water from a 200-L tank and raise its temperature from 20 C to 40 C in 1.0 h? The intensity of incident sunlight is 700 W/m^2.


Homework Equations



Q = mcdelta t

delta t = iR

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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