Performance study of an indigenously built flat plate solar water heater

A 60 liter capacity flat plate solar water heater has been designed and constructed with locally available material. The size is selected considering the daily requirement of a small family. In performance evaluation we have recorded water temperature of the solar water for consecutive hours during the mentioned sun shine period. During June-July period the maximum water temperature obtained was 71°C. Evening and morning water temperature were taken to estimate the heat loss during non sun shine hour. Amount of thermal energy capture from incoming available solar radiation and its thermal heat transfer to water was evaluated for the local environment. A chemical test was also carried out to study the corrosion and water contamination within the solar water heating system. The performance of thermo siphon, thermal insulation of water tank, collector radiation absorption and leakages of the collector were also being studied. Since it is an on going experimental work, design and modification to improve the device performance and cost reduction for the construction is still continuing. The performance of the solar water heater will be measured over a certain period of time to draw the final conclusion.