Experimental and Numerical Study of Thermal Performance of Solar Water Heater

Water heater of solar utility is still an alternative solution to reduce the use of non-renewable energy. In this study, an equation can be obtained to analyze the distribution of heat in the collector. The solar water heater has been tested with a size of 1.6 m x 1 m to heat 130 Liters of water. The performance test of solar water heater is numerically based on the heat transfer that occurs in the collector. Solar radiation that enters the glass collector is expressed as incoming heat, then the heat is distributed on each side of the collector until the heat absorbed by water from the pipe is expressed as the heat used. Using numerical methods, the maximum water temperature achieved is 51.89°C. Analysis of heat transfer shows the incoming energy from solar radiation, useful energy and, heat loss in the solar collector is 15.69 MJ, 12.48 MJ, and 3.2 MJ. Thus, the total efficiency of solar collectors is 79.5%.