PROJECT
I will be looking at the benefits and disadvantages of solar hot water heating in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. This will include the pros and cons of adding a system to an existing residential space or building a residential space with a system in place. Finally, I will research the feasibility of such a system, and find rough estimates as to the break even point for implementing a solar hot water system.
METHOD
In order to research this topic, I will be using the following:
- Academic Resources
- Academic Reports
- Science Journals
- Building and Architectural Journals
- Magazines
- Internet.
APPROACH
1. What are solar hot water heaters?
2. How do they work?
3. What types are available?
4. How do the different types compare to each other?
5. How are they placed within a house?
6. How efficient are they?
7. Would other conventional water heaters have to be added to the system?
8. What are the maintenance costs?
9. Is this system feasible?
SPECIAL PROBLEMS
1. How does the time of year affect solar hot water heaters?
2. How does placement on a roof/wall affect them?
3. How many heaters are needed for as average sized house and family in the okanagan?
4. What is the life time of a system?
5. What are some ways of improving systems to make them more efficient?
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Heya.
ReplyDeleteMy topic includes a bit about photovoltaics also, so I will probably find information that will be relevent for you.
You could probably use this data in your information somewhere. If you scroll down, it will show you the hours of Bright Sunshine per month, on average for the past 30-something years.
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=kamloops&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=1275&
Good luck !
Also check out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2007-02-01/Solar-Hot-Water-A-Good-Deal-that-Keeps-Getting-Better.aspx
I found it on one of the comments on Dale's master-site, from last year.
Hey Shane,
ReplyDeleteMy brother works in the Heat Transfer Division of a company in Spain and he is currently helping out on a project that has to do with solar heating. I'm not sure how much he would be able to help but I can give you his email if you like, just let me know.
You can check out http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/Welcome_e.html for some historical Kamloops weather information. I think this site applies to anyone doing anything solar-related.
ReplyDeleteMindy gave me a contact I could use when I was doing solar power, but I never got around to calling him before I switched to wind power.
His name is Lionel, and you can call him at 250-372-3441. I can't find the paper with his company name on it, but he deals with geothermal and solar energy locally.
hi,
ReplyDeletei have a pdf book called "solar technologies for buildings" its 341 pages long and has a chapter specifically on solar hot water, including some rather complicated looking formulas and such.
if you would like a copy, remind me in class and ill give it to you.
Hey Shane,
ReplyDeleteYou might want to check out the Natural Resources Canada web page. They have some case study assignments on solar water heating with information that might help you.
Here is the web link:
http://www.retscreen.net/ang/case_studies_apartment_building_canada.php
Hope this helps!
Actaualy, if you start from here... there might be more information that you're looking for:
ReplyDeletehthttp://www.retscreen.net/ang/g_solarw.php
Shane,
ReplyDeleteHere's a video about the installation of solar-thermal panels on a home in Seattle:
Renovation Nation: A Powerful New Roof
It'll give you some good visuals on the process.
I would also be interested in seeing this book that Ivory has. It sounds great.
ReplyDeleteShane, there are grants available for installing solar hot water on your home from both the federal government ( http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/retrofit-homes/retrofit-qualify-grant.cfm ), as well as the provincial government ( http://www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/h_rebates.html ).