Performance Monitoring of Solar Heating Systems in Dwellings: Phase 3

Summary

The Performance Monitoring Group (PMG) has been receiving performance data from monitored solar heating systems designed 4–8 years ago. These systems are generally over-complicated, oversized, economically unattractive and have poor performance. Based on experience, the PMG believes that it is possible to design solar heating systems with higher outputs per unit collector area and/or lower capital costs. Such systems will provide better cost-benefit balances and a greater potential for market penetration.

This paper describes the progress of the PMG from the conclusions of its second phase of work (1981/82) into the third phase (1982/83), currently underway. A programme of Performance Optimisation Studies has been initiated, in which a series of better optimised solar heating system designs are being developed. These are based on existing knowledge and experience, simulation modelling, detailed cost analysis and commercial practice. The results from the work should represent the most promising developments in domestic scale solar heating system designs for Europe.

The exercise will illustrate the process by which initial designs are optimised to achieve higher performance at minimum capital cost, under a set of practical constraints. The output document will consist of a series of case studies, which could form the basis for a programme of field trials that might be built and monitored starting in 1983.

Finally, other continuing PMG activities are also described.