Hindawi Publishing Corporation

International Journal of Photoenergy

Volume 2016, Article ID 9698328, 8 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9698328

Research Article
Design, Fabrication, and Efficiency Study of
a Novel Solar Thermal Water Heating System:
Towards Sustainable Development

M. Z. H. Khan,1 M. R. Al-Mamun,1 S. Sikdar,1 P. K. Halder,2 and M. R. Hasan1

1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore 7408, Bangladesh
2
Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore 7408, Bangladesh

Correspondence should be addressed to M. Z. H. Khan; zaved.khan@yahoo.com

Received 24 October 2015; Accepted 27 December 2015

Academic Editor: Ahmad Umar

Copyright © 2016 M. Z. H. Khan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This paper investigated a novel loop-heat-pipe based solar thermal heat-pump system for small scale hot water production for
household purposes. The effective use of solar energy is hindered by the intermittent nature of its availability, limiting its use
and effectiveness in domestic and industrial applications especially in water heating. The easiest and the most used method is
the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy. We developed a prototype solar water heating system for experimental test. We
reported the investigation of solar thermal conversion efficiency in different seasons which is 29.24% in summer, 14.75% in winter,
and 15.53% in rainy season. This paper also discusses the DC heater for backup system and the current by using thermoelectric
generator which are 3.20 V in summer, 2.120 V in winter, and 1.843 V in rainy season. This solar water heating system is mostly
suited for its ease of operation and simple maintenance. It is expected that such novel solar thermal technology would further
contribute to the development of the renewable energy (solar) driven heating/hot water service and therefore lead to significant
environmental benefits.

1. Introduction in any climate [6–9]. The performance of these heaters varies

depending on the availability of solar energy at that locality
Water heating for domestic purposes is a simple and effective and more importantly on the temperature of cold water
way of utilizing solar energy. The initial cost of solar water coming into the system. It can be either active or passive
heating system is very high without any operating cost. It is [10]. A thermosiphon solar water heater relies on warm
a natural solar thermal technology. In this system, incident water rising, a phenomenon known as natural convection,
solar radiation is converted into heat and transmitted to to circulate water through the solar collector and to the
a transfer medium such as water [1]. The solar energy is storage water tank. The thermosiphon effect for solar water
the most capable of the alternative energy sources. Due to heating system has been employed with solar collectors as the
increasing demand for energy and rising cost of fossil fuels principal heating component. These solar heating systems use
(i.e., gas or oil), solar energy is considered as an attractive either direct heating or indirect heating by the collector [11–
source of renewable energy. Solar heater is a device that uses 13]. In these cases, the thermosiphon induced flow is a result
solar energy to produce steam for domestic and industrial of the incident solar radiation, but it is also affected by the hot
applications [2–5]. Heating of water consumes nearly 20% of water removal pattern. Recently, a fuzzy model system is used
total energy consumption for an average family. Solar water to predict the outlet water temperature of a thermosiphon
heating systems are the cheapest and most easily affordable solar water heating system [14]. Presently, solar and other
clean energy available to homeowners that may provide hot alternative energy resources are being harnessed for various
water required for a family. Solar water heaters can operate applications such as power generation, air conditioning,
2 International Journal of Photoenergy

Black coated cork

sheet
Thermoelectric
generator
Paste coated
Copper U shape copper
tube tube Heat sink

Insulating
material

Thermometer

DC heater
Hot
Wiper motor
water

Figure 1: A proposed model of solar water heating system.

space heating, and domestic hot water system. Photovoltaic 25∘ C in summer. Due to the temperature difference between
thermal technology (PVT) refers to the solar thermal collec- the seasons and the reduction of solar radiation in winter, the
tors that use PV cells as an integral part of the absorber plate. thermal efficiency drops from 52∘ C in summer to a maximum
This kind of system generates both thermal and electrical of 38∘ C in winter [19].
energy simultaneously [15]. The solar water heaters in various
Indian stations were reported to provide 100 L of hot water at 2. Materials and Methodology
an average temperature of 50–70∘ C, which can be retained
to 40–60∘ C until used next day morning [16]. The spiral 2.1. Materials and System Design. The heat management and
flow absorber collector at temperature of 55∘ C achieved the storage system consists of pipe network, storage vessel, and
best mass flow rate at 0.011 kg/sec and generated combined backup system. The design of the system consisted of a
PVT efficiency of 64%, with 11% of electrical efficiency and reservoir, wiper motor, DC battery, copper tube, insulating
maximum power of 25.35 W. On the other hand, a single materials, coating materials, casing, glazing materials, and
pass rectangular collector absorber obtained the best mass seals, as well as different piping systems. Figure 1 presents
flow rate of 0.075 kg/sec, when the surface temperature was a complete proposed model of solar water heating systems.
392∘ C, generating combined PVT efficiency of 55%, with 10% Copper tube was selected for the system because of its
of electrical efficiency and maximum power of 22.45 W [15]. high thermal conductivity and anticorrosive properties. Black
Al2 O3 and MWCNT water nanofluids have significant effect paint and carbon powder were used for their high absorp-
on the efficiency of FPSC (flat plate solar collector) experi- tivity and glass was used as glazing material for its high
mentally. The results showed that using Al2 O3 and MWCNT transmissivity.
water nanofluids in comparison with water as working fluid
increased the efficiency up to 28.3% and 35%, respectively 2.2. Experimental Setup and Process Description. This study
[17]. The performance of a new hybrid domestic hot water involves the feasibility comparison of solar water heater
system that combines with a thermoelectric air conditioner systems. For the purpose of this research, solar hot water
(TEC1-12704) indicated that this system can heat up 120 system was designed for a family of four members. The
liters of water to 50∘ C within 2 hours and the corresponding instrumental setup of the heating system is illustrated in
highest coefficient of performance of hybrid system is 3.12% Figure 2. When switching on the motor, water from the
[18]. It has been found that, in summer, the solar heater heats reservoir first comes to the U shape copper tube of diameter
the water to 52∘ C. In winter, the temperature of cold water in 3/8 inches and thermal conductivity 376 Wm/K. The casing
the tank of the house is around 16∘ C to 18∘ C against 22∘ C to is covered with a black coated cork sheet whose acoustic
International Journal of Photoenergy 3

80

70

Temperature (∘ C)
60

50

40

30

20
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Time (min)
Rainy season (8.00–10.00 am)
Summer season (8.00–10.00 am)
Winter season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
Figure 2: An instrumental setup of solar water heating system. Rainy season (2.00–4.00 pm)
Summer season (2.00–4.00 pm)
Winter season (8.00–10.00 am)
Rainy season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
resistivity is 1.2 × 105 . The casing front surface is closed Summer season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
with a low iron glass (approximately 0.85–0.90 at normal Winter season (2.00–4.00 pm)
incidence). The casing is kept in a hot, shiny place where
Figure 3: Response of outlet hot water temperatures in different
the copper tube gets greater amount of heat. The hot water
seasons.
which is coming from the copper tube goes to the reservoir
through another insulating pipe and this hot water is again
recirculating several times through the copper tube in the 90
similar manner. For backup support or for rapid heating 80
process, a heating coil driven by DC battery of 6 V is used 70
Temperature (∘ C)

in the reservoir. Then, two heat sinks (one contains water of 60

normal room temperature and another of hot temperature) 50
result in a temperature difference according to Peltier effect 40
and hence produce electricity. 30
20
3. Results and Discussion 10
0
3.1. Factors Affecting the Temperature of Hot Water 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Time (min)
3.1.1. Effect of Exposure Time to Sunlight. The performances
Summer season (8.00–10.00 am)
of solar collectors are largely affected by their operating Rainy season (8.00–10.00 am)
temperature which depends on exposure time to sunlight. Winter season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
The temperature and intensity of sunlight vary according to Summer season (2.00–4.00 pm)
the seasons. In the summer season, the weather is hotter and Rainy season (2.00–4.00 pm)
shiny compared to rainy and winter season that results in Winter season (8.00–10.00 am)
high temperature as recorded to be approximately 77.5∘ C as Summer season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
illustrated in Figure 3. On the other hand, in rainy season, Rainy season (11.00 am to 1.00 pm)
Winter season (2.00–4.00 pm)
the recorded temperature is the lowest among the seasons
because of the excessive rain and violent blasts of wind Figure 4: Comparison of temperature profile by using DC heater.
blowing. Besides, the temperature varies throughout the day
in case of all the seasons. The maximum temperature of water
is found in the duration between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm due
to the hot, shiny, and acute warmness of weather for higher the water temperature is raised to 58∘ C at 12 minutes of
intensity of solar energy. The intensity of solar energy in heating, whereas, in winter season, the temperature is raised
morning remains low and starts to fall down from the highest to 52∘ C at 10 minutes of heating and in rainy season the
temperature in afternoon. temperature is raised to 50∘ C at 11 minutes of heating. The
highest temperature (78∘ C) among the seasons is recorded
3.1.2. Effect of DC Heater. Figure 4 shows the temperature in the summer season in the duration between 11.00 am and
profile of the heating system using DC heater. In this case, a 1.00 pm at heating time of 18 minutes. In addition to this,
DC heater that consumes the minimum amount of electricity the highest temperature in winter season and rainy season
from a 6 V rechargeable battery is used for backup system. In is recorded to be about 72∘ C and 64∘ C at heating time of 17
the duration between 8.00 and 10.00 am, in summer season, minutes and 16 minutes, respectively.
4 International Journal of Photoenergy

Table 1: Thermoelectric data of different seasons.

Summer Winter Rainy
RT 25∘ C, WT 24∘ C RT 25∘ C, WT 22∘ C RT 25∘ C, WT 24∘ C
Time (min)
𝑑𝑇 𝑉 𝑅 𝐶 𝑑𝑇 𝑉 𝑅 𝐶 𝑑𝑇 𝑉 𝑅 𝐶
∘ ∘ ∘
C (V) (mΩ) (mA) C (V) (mΩ) (mA) C (V) (mΩ) (mA)
8.00–8.10 6 0.200 0.769 183 3 0.127 1.04 122 1 0.080 1.02 078
8.10–8.20 10 0.420 1.1 381 6 0.224 1.09 205 3 0.127 1.04 122
8.20–8.30 14 0.500 1.2 416 10 0.439 1.2 365 5 0.325 1.1 295
8.30–8.40 18 0.740 1.3 528 13 0.679 1.3 522 8 0.420 1.2 350
8.40–8.50 20 0.937 1.4 669 17 0.821 1.4 586 10 0.521 1.2 434
8.50–9.00 23 1.110 1.6 693 20 0.925 1.5 616 13 0.590 1.2 491
9.00–9.10 25 1.320 1.8 859 22 1.110 1.6 693 15 0.679 1.3 522
9.10–9.20 26 1.547 2.0 773 24 1.226 1.7 721 16 0.720 1.3 553
9.20–9.30 28 1.663 2.2 755 25 1.373 1.8 762 18 0.842 1.4 601
9.30–9.40 30 1.880 2.5 752 27 1.492 1.9 785 20 0.937 1.5 624
9.40–9.50 30 1.990 3.0 663 28 1.590 2.0 795 23 1.110 1.6 693
9.50–10.00 31 2.020 3.1 651 28 1.755 2.3 763 24 1.320 1.8 733
11.00–11.10 11 0.220 1.09 201 1 0.090 1.05 085 2 0.127 1.04 122
11.10–11.20 20 0.337 1.1 306 4 0.210 1.09 192 6 0.310 1.1 281
11.20–11.30 28 0.520 1.2 433 8 0.429 1.2 357 9 0.420 1.2 350
11.30–11.40 34 0.720 1.3 567 13 0.642 1.3 493 13 0.590 1.2 491
11.40–11.50 38 0.921 1.4 657 20 0.829 1.4 592 18 0.842 1.4 601
11.50–12.00 41 1.110 1.6 693 25 1.010 1.6 631 23 1.110 1.6 693
12.00–12.10 43 1.470 1.9 773 30 1.235 1.7 726 26 1.213 1.7 713
12.10–12.20 43 1.770 2.3 769 35 1.479 1.9 747 30 1.327 1.8 737
12.20–12.30 44 2.013 2.9 694 38 1.621 2.1 771 31 1.422 1.9 748
12.30–12.40 45 2.450 3.1 790 40 1.877 2.5 750 33 1.566 2.0 783
12.40–12.50 46 2.920 3.2 912 41 1.972 2.8 704 34 1.724 2.3 749
12.50–1.00 46.5 3.20 3.4 947 42 2.120 3.0 706 35 1.843 2.5 737
2.00–2.10 19 0.240 1.09 220 4 0.122 1.05 116 1 0.089 1.02 087
2.10–2.20 24 0.462 1.1 420 7 0.229 1.09 210 4 0.224 1.09 205
2.20–2.30 27 0.532 1.2 443 12 0.333 1.1 302 8 0.420 1.2 350
2.30–2.40 31 0.649 1.3 499 18 0.527 1.2 439 11 0.520 1.2 433
2.40–2.50 34 0.842 1.4 601 25 0.726 1.3 558 15 0.649 1.3 499
2.50–3.00 35 1.010 1.6 631 28 0.952 1.4 680 18 0.842 1.4 601
3.00–3.10 37 1.220 1.7 717 32 1.057 1.5 704 19 0.937 1.5 624
3.10–3.20 39 1.447 1.9 761 33 1.267 1.7 745 21 1.112 1.6 695
3.20–3.30 41 1.552 2.0 776 34 1.387 1.8 770 23 1.213 1.7 713
3.30–3.40 40 1.449 1.9 762 34 1.306 1.8 725 22 1.190 1.8 730
3.40–3.50 40 1.402 1.9 737 33 1.221 1.7 718 21 1.02 1.9 756
3.50–4.00 39 1.363 1.9 717 32 1.123 1.7 660 20 0.950 2.0 751

3.1.3. Effect of Carbon Powder. The carbon powder is used as Table 1 shows the thermoelectric reading at different time in
coating layer in solar water heater due to its low cost and different season.
nontoxicity. The temperature raise of the system is directly
proportional to the percentage of carbon in the coating layer. 3.2.1. Voltage and Temperature Profile. The efficiency of a
The maximum achieved outlet water temperature is about thermoelectric device depends on the temperature difference
80∘ C in June and 69∘ C in February. across the device. The Peltier effect is based on the tempera-
ture difference and therefore when the temperature difference
3.2. Thermoelectric Analysis of the Heater. A thermoelectric is higher, the amount of electricity production is greater. In
device converts the temperature difference across the device the duration of 8.00 to 10.00 am, the temperature difference
to electric voltage according to the thermoelectric principle. is higher in summer season than the winter and rainy season
This thermoelectric effect is used to generate electricity. due to higher intensity of solar energy, which provides greater
International Journal of Photoenergy 5

2.5 1.6
1.4
2
1.2
Voltage (V)

1.5

Voltage (V)
1

1 0.8
0.6
0.5
0.4
0 0.2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Temperature difference (dT) 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Summer season Rainy season Temperature difference (dT)
Winter season
Summer season
Figure 5: Comparison of temperature difference versus voltage in Winter season
the duration of 8.00–10.00 am by using thermoelectric generator. Rainy season

Figure 7: A comparison of temperature difference versus voltage in

3.5 the duration of 2.00–4.00 pm by using thermoelectric generator.

2.5 Figure 7 shows that the maximum voltage is 1.40 V when the
temperature difference is 40∘ C in summer season. In winter
Voltage (V)

2
season, the voltage is 1.22 V when the temperature difference
1.5 is 33∘ C and, in rainy season, the voltage is 1.02 V when the
temperature difference is 21∘ C.
1
3.2.2. Current and Voltage Profile. According to Ohm’s law,
0.5
the current increases gradually with the increase of voltage.
0 But, from a certain point of increasing the voltage, the current
0 10 20 30 40 50 decreases gradually, because, after reaching a point of voltage,
Temperature difference (dT) some portions of voltage are used to run the DC battery. Dur-
Summer season Rainy season ing summer season, at 8:00 to 10:00 am, when voltage reaches
Winter season 1320 mV, the highest amount of current, about 859 mA, is
obtained. However, when the voltage becomes 1547 mV, the
Figure 6: Comparison of temperature difference versus voltage
current falls down at 773 mA and it gradually decreases to
in the duration of 11.00 am to 1.00 pm by using thermoelectric
651 mA as presented in Figure 8. On the other hand, during
generator.
winter season, when the voltage reaches 1590 mV, the highest
amount of current is about 795 mA and then falls down to
be 763 mA. However, at rainy season, the highest amount of
amount of voltage. Figure 5 shows that, in summer season in current, 733 mA, is obtained at a voltage of 1320 mV.
the duration of 8.00 to 10.00 am, about 2.02 V of electricity During summer season, at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm when volt-
is produced due to higher temperature difference, whereas age reaches 1470 mV, the current, about 773 mA, is obtained.
in winter and in rainy season about 1.755 V and 1.32 V of On the other hand, when voltage becomes 1770 mV, the
electricity are produced, respectively. current falls down to be at 769 mA and it gradually decreases
In the duration of 11.00 am to 1.00 pm in summer season, to 694 mA as presented in Figure 9. But, after recharging the
the solar collector takes the maximum heat from solar energy battery, the current rises to 794 mA and gradually increases
and gains the higher hot water temperature. Figure 6 shows to 947 mA. During winter season, the highest amount of
that the maximum voltage is 3.20 V when the temperature current, about 771 mA, is recorded at a voltage of 1621 mV
difference is 46.5∘ C in summer season. In winter season, the and gradually decreases to 706 mA from its peak value. But,
voltage is 2.12 V when the temperature difference is 42∘ C and, at rainy season, the highest amount of current 783 mA is
in rainy season, the voltage is 1.843 V when the temperature estimated at a voltage of 1566 mV.
difference is 35∘ C in the duration of 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. During summer season (at 2:00–4:00 pm) when voltage
In the duration of 2.00–4.00 pm in summer season, the reaches 1552 mV, the highest current is about 776 mA and
solar collector takes the maximum heat from solar energy when voltage becomes 1449 mV, the current falls down at
than the winter and rainy season. It is found that the 762 mA as illustrated in Figure 10. During winter season,
temperature difference gradually decreases in the duration of when voltage reaches 1387 mV, the highest amount of current
3.25–4.00 pm because of the lower intensity of solar energy. about 770 mA falls down to 725 mA at 1306 mV. However,
6 International Journal of Photoenergy

1000 1000

800 800
Current (mA)

Current (mA)
600 600

400
400
200
200
0
200
500
937
1320
1663
1990

224
679
925
1226
1492
1755
80
325
521
679
842
1110
0

1220
1552
1402

1267
1306
1123

1213
1020
240
532
842

229
527
952

420
649
937
89
Voltage (mV)
Voltage (mV)
Summer season Rainy season Summer season
Winter season Winter season
Figure 8: Comparison of voltage versus current in the duration of Rainy season
8.00–10.00 am in summer, winter, and rainy season.
Figure 10: Comparison of voltage versus current in the duration of
2.00–4.00 pm in summer, winter, and rainy season.
1000

800
Current (mA)

3.5
600
3
400 2.5
Resistant (mΩ)

2
200
1.5
0 1
1724
1213
1470
2013
2920
220
520
921

127

1422
210
642

420
842
1010
1479
1877
2120

0.5
Voltage (mV) 0
200
500
937
1320
1663
1990

224
679
925
1226
1492
1755
80
325
521
679
842
1110
Summer season
Winter season
Voltage (mV)
Rainy season
Summer season Winter season
Figure 9: Comparison of voltage versus current in the duration of Rainy season
11.00 am to 1.00 pm in summer, winter, and rainy season.
Figure 11: Comparison of voltage versus resistance in the duration
of 8.00–10.00 am in summer, winter, and rainy season.

in rainy season, the highest amount of current 756 mA is

obtained at a voltage of 1437 mV.
3.5
3.2.3. Voltage and Resistance Profile. The voltage developed in
3
an electric system is largely dependent on resistance as well as
Resistant (mΩ)

the speed and the density of the electrons. Figure 11 shows the 2.5
relationship between voltage and resistance. In the duration 2
of 8.00–10.00 am in summer season, the resistance is 3.1 mΩ 1.5
with the corresponding voltage of 2020 mV, whereas in winter 1
season the resistance is 2.3 mΩ with the corresponding 0.5
voltage of 1755 mV. Similarly in rainy season, this value is 0
1.8 mΩ with the corresponding voltage of 1320 mV.
220
520
921
1470
2013
2920

210
642
1010
1479
1877
2120
127
420
842
1213
1422
1724

In the duration of 11.00 am to 1.00 pm in summer season,

Voltage (mV)
3.4 mΩ resistance is estimated at a voltage of 3200 mV and
Summer season
in winter season 3.0 mΩ is obtained at a voltage of 2120 mV
Winter season
as shown in Figure 12. Similarly, in rainy season, 2.5 mΩ is Rainy season
recorded at a voltage of 1843 mV.
In the duration of 2.00–4.00 pm in summer season, the Figure 12: Comparison of voltage versus resistance in the duration
resistance is recorded to be about 1.9 mΩ at a voltage of of 11.00 am to 1.00 pm in summer, winter, and rainy season.
International Journal of Photoenergy 7

2.5 Table 2: Power and efficiency of the system at different seasons.

2 Season 𝑑𝑇 𝑉 𝐼 𝑃 𝜂
Resistant (mΩ)

Summer 48.5 3.20 1.288 4.1216 29.24

1.5 Winter 45 2.10 0.921 1.93 14.75
Rainy 35 1.82 0.868 1.58 15.53
1

0.5 Table 3: Cost estimation of the proposed solar water heating model.

0 Component Amount (BDT)

240
532
842
1220
1552
1402

229
527
952
1267
1306
1123
89
420
649
937
1213
1020
Copper tube 2000
Voltage (mV) Black paint 80
Summer season Rainy season Carbon powder 40
Winter season Cork sheet 40
Figure 13: Comparison of voltage versus resistance in the duration Araldite glue 250
of 2.00–4.00 pm in summer, winter, and rainy season. Silver sheet 300
Low iron glass 300
Wiper motor 300
1363 mV and in winter season this value is about 1.7 mΩ at Heating coil 120
a voltage of 1123 mV as presented in Figure 13. On the other DC battery (6 V) 600
hand, in rainy season, 2.0 mΩ resistance is recorded which is Plastic box 120
corresponding to the voltage of 950 mV.
Cotton 10
Wire 10
3.3. Power and Efficiency Analysis. Efficiency of solar water
heating system is given by the ratio of energy released from Pipe 30
the solar water heating system to energy gained by the system. Others 300
Considering the mass of water 0.50 kg and the specific heat Total amount = BDT 4500
of water 4.186 kJ/kg∘ C, the efficiency (𝜂) for each season is
calculated at the highest temperature duration of 11.00 am to
1.00 pm. liters for clothes washing, and 10 liters for faucet. Accordingly,
Energy input or energy gained by solar water heating the family requires approximately 1500 liters of hot water per
system is estimated by the following equation: month and 18250 liters of hot water per year.
𝐸in = 𝑚𝐶𝑝 𝑑𝑇, In case of solar heating system, the input energy is the
(1)
renewable solar energy. Therefore, the cost of the system is
where 𝑚 is the mass of water in kg; 𝐶𝑝 is the specific heat only the manufacturing cost without any running cost for a
of water in kJ/kg∘ C; and 𝑑𝑇 is the temperature difference lifetime of five years. The construction cost of the proposed
between final temperature of water and initial temperature of system is shown in Table 3.
water. If electricity is used for the heating of water instead of
On the other hand, energy released by solar water heating solar heating system, then about 10 kWh of electricity is
system or output of energy is calculated by the following required to heat 50 liters of water. Accordingly, the total cost
equation: of heating water for the family is about BDT 19162.5 per year
and BDT 95812.5 for five years. Therefore, the use of solar
𝐸out = 𝑃𝑡 = 𝑉𝐼𝑡, (2) heating system reduces the energy consumption cost of the
family by 95.30% for a lifetime of five years of the system.
where 𝑃 is the power in watt; 𝑉 is the voltage in volt; 𝐼 is the On the other hand, the cost of gas to heat the same amount
current in ampere; and 𝑡 is the time in seconds. of water is approximately BDT 65 per day. Therefore, the
The efficiency of the solar water heating system in total heating cost for five years duration is about BDT 118625
summer is about 29.24% with power of 4.1216 W as depicted which is almost 96.21% higher than the cost of proposed solar
in Table 2. On the contrary, the efficiency of the system in heating system. With the base case of gas geyser, to fulfill
winter and rainy season is 14.75% and 15.53%, respectively. the hot water requirements during winter, summer, and rainy
season, the system is 60% efficient.
3.4. Cost Analysis of the System. Actually, the cost analysis of
this solar heating system depends on the number of family 4. Conclusion and Recommendation
members, quantity of hot water required, and also the cost of
heating sources. A comparative cost analysis is made among The purpose of this work was to develop a low cost solar
different energy usages systems for a family consisting of water heating system. We get the highest temperature, 77.5∘ C,
four members. It is assumed that the family requires about of water and 3.20 V by using this device. We also use DC
50 liters of water per day including 16 liters for shower, 12 heater for backup system and 18 minutes is required to raise
8 International Journal of Photoenergy

the temperature up to 77.5∘ C and higher temperature is also [9] A. Gastli and Y. Charabi, “Solar water heating initiative in Oman
obtained by this instrument. The scarcity of electricity and energy saving and carbon credits,” Renewable & Sustainable
gases in our country is too high. Due to limited natural Energy Reviews, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 1851–1856, 2011.
resources, the cost of gases and electricity is increasing [10] H. I. Abu-Mulaweh, “Design and development of solar water
rapidly. As a result, it would not be possible to use hot water heating system experimental apparatus,” Global Journal of
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