Feasibility Study of Theoretical Efficiency Calculation for Flat-Plate Collectors in Solar Water Heating Systems

Abstract

Solar energy stands as a paramount clean, abundant, and renewable power source holding remarkable potential to address our escalating energy needs. Among its crucial utilization methods, solar water heating systems integrating flat-plate collectors (FPCs) emerge as vital contributors in harnessing and converting solar energy into utilizable heat. This study delves into the realm of FPCs' theoretical efficiency assessment, employing mathematical models and factoring regional weather conditions to meticulously evaluate the efficiency of single-glazed and double-glazed collector variants. The outcomes spotlight the single-glazed collector's efficiency at 0.669 and the double-glazed collector at 0.713, underscoring the discernible performance gap. In a landscape where industries, hospitals, residences in Kandahar, and comparable settings extensively depend on hot water, often derived from fossil fuel-driven heating, this research's implications hold particular relevance. By transitioning toward solar water heating, this study underscores a concrete method not only to curtail carbon emissions but also to significantly reduce energy expenses linked with conventional heating techniques. The findings beckon a departure from the status quo, emphasizing that cleaner energy options are attainable, even for regions demanding hot water requirements. As society navigates complex decisions concerning energy sourcing, embracing solar water heating stands as an auspicious stride toward a sustainable future, beckoning us to collectively embark on a path of energy-conscious choices for the greater good of our planet and the generations that will inhabit it.

Received: 20 July 2023 | Revised: 24 August 2023 | Accepted: 29 August 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Author Contribution Statement

Sayed Ahmad Zamir Fatemi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Supervision, Project administration; Wahidullah Zgham: Methodology, Writing - original draft; Safiullah Shirzad: Resources, Writing - review & editing; Zainullah Serat: Validation, Data curation, Writing - review & editing.