Luis Cámara-Díaz, principal researcher
CREDIT: University of Córdoba
A research team at the University of Córdoba has designed a sustainable photovoltaic solar device that can heat water up to 80 degrees – just like a regular electric heater
A significant percentage of buildings’ energy consumption is to produce hot water. Photovoltaic solar heating can be considered a clean and renewable energy option. Easy to install, silent, and low maintenance, it also prevents the consumption of fossil fuels normally used for this process. Now, a research group at the University of Córdoba has designed a photovoltaic solar heating device that takes advantage of 95.06% of the energy available to produce domestic hot water.
The prototype they designed manages to heat the water to 80 degrees, just like a normal electric heater would. No type of waste or polluting gas is produced during this process. Compared to solar thermal energy, which requires a hydraulic installation, this model would only use an electric box similar to the conventional ones found at houses, to which solar panels and a conventional electric water heater are connected, with two cables. “It’s a model that is much more versatile, sustainable and economical, and only produces a 5% loss of energy”, explained Principal Investigator Luis Cámara-Díaz.
This new system focuses specifically on domestic hot water, but it could be applied to commercial and industrial use, according to Cámara-Díaz. The heating process relies on thermal electric resistors powered by photovoltaic solar energy. “Conventional hot water tanks have an electrical resistor inside, that, when connected to electricity, generates heat. We call this thermoresistance The difference with respect to our prototype is that we connect it into the photovoltaic solar panels instead of the electrical current,” he added. In this way the existing solar energy is converted into photovoltaic energy, which can be used for heating any time of the day. The water tank functions as an accumulator of all that daily energy, averting the need to install batteries.
A breakthrough made with this low-cost electronic system is that it is possible to convert the available photovoltaic energy into heat, regardless of whether existing solar radiation levels are high or low.
Moreover, its installation does not require a large number of solar panels, nor must it be connected to the electrical grid. And, it is compliant with safety measures, like any other electrical/electronic device, the researcher indicated. The device is currently in the experimental phase, with the prospect of being commercialized in the future. One of the advances that the research team is also working on is the application of Artificial Intelligence to this device, to enhance the system’s safety and monitoring.
Original Article: Photovoltaic solar heating system uses 95% of energy available to heat water
More from: University of Córdoba
The Latest on: Photovoltaic solar water heating system
- First 'sand battery' developed to heat homes or balance renewable energy for gridon July 5, 2022 at 5:58 am
Energy said the first installation has shown that the system "has even more potential than we initially calculated" ...
- Hybridizing floating solar with hydropoweron July 5, 2022 at 5:00 am
Scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have said that the combination of floating solar with hydropower could reduce PV curtailment.
- Antaisolar launches new BIPV producton July 2, 2022 at 4:41 am
Leading PV mounting system supplier Antaisolar has announced ... A 100% waterproofing effect not only prevents water leakage, but also protects the building in question. The product’s whole ...
- Why Isn't Solar Power More Mainstream?on July 2, 2022 at 2:41 am
or PV. It was one percent efficient. When President Jimmy Carter installed a solar water heating system on the White House roof in 1979, state of the art PV was about 16 percent efficient.
- Councillor sets out solar farm proposal for area of derelict land in Wickon July 1, 2022 at 12:00 am
An area of waste ground in Wick has been identified as a potential site for a solar farm that would generate renewable power for nearby properties.
- Solar-powered residential heating system based on storage heaterson June 30, 2022 at 11:23 pm
Spanish heating specialist Elnur Gabarron offers a residential heating system that works with surplus solar power and storage heaters. The system can work as a backup solution, combined with existing ...
- Air source heat pumps explainedon June 30, 2022 at 4:59 pm
It then condenses back into a liquid to release its stored heat. Heat is sent to your radiators or underfloor heating. The remainder can be stored in your hot water ... such as solar panels or a wind ...
- Storing solar power via borehole thermal energy storageon June 30, 2022 at 4:26 pm
An international group of researchers has proposed the use of borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) to store PV electricity during warmer parts of the year in residential districts. It has ...
- West of Ireland company highlights benefits of solar poweron June 30, 2022 at 8:33 am
Switch2solar has a team of experienced roofers and electricians who cover the island of Ireland installing solar PV Systems to domestic homes, all types and sizes of business and the agricultural sect ...
- Why is nobody talking about concentrated solar power?on June 30, 2022 at 5:44 am
When most of us think about solar power, we picture large black panels made of silicon, unattractively stuck on top of houses. These photovoltaic (PV) solar cells are set to play a key role in the ...
via Bing News
The Latest on: Photovoltaic solar water heating system
via Google News
Add Comment