A Numerical Simulation Study for the Performance of a Multi-Purpose Large Solar Hot Water System Operated in Taiwan

There is rich solar energy in Taiwan, it also has a great developing potential for solar applications. Solar hot water is able to supply the domestic hot water, the heating load, and the driving energy for absorption cooing. In this paper, a computer simulation program for a multi-purpose solar hot water system providing hot water, winter heating and summer air-conditioning is established by TRNSYS program. Simulation study is done with varying parameters including collector area, storage capacity and type of collector (flat plate and evacuated tube). In order to study the system performance in Taiwan, system simulations are made under the climate data of three representative cities (Taipei in north, Taichung in central, and Kaohsiung in southern) of Taiwan. The results of the present study can provide important reference for the development of the multi-purpose solar hot water system.