Performance Analysis Of Solar Water Heater With Compound Parabolic Collector

Abstract

Solar thermal technology is most commonly used for water heating and power generation in sunny climates. However, The auxiliary necessity of a solar water heating system affects its cost and viability for the end user. Due to the complex design, production and maintenance costs, systems based on solar thermal have fallen behind in alternative energy systems. The concentrated solar thermal energy system is based on the traditional design of a parabolic concentrator, with the receiver located along the line connecting the concentrator's centre to the sun. This makes it possible for the efficient collection and concentration of incoming solar irradiation. By focusing on the incoming radiation, the system's operational temperature is greatly enhanced, which improves the efficiency of the cool-to-hot water conversion. Compound parabolic collector used with 96% concentration ratio in the present work. Theoretically able to produce temperatures up to 71⁰c. However, due to optics deterioration and other variables, temperatures 60⁰c have been reached. Parabolic Collector has achieved 62% efficiency.