Experimental Comparison of Control Strategies for Solar Energy Systems Incorporating Dual Storage Tanks

Two identical solar collector systems were operated side by side for a 67 day period. Data acquisition and control of both systems were accomplished by a minicomputer. One system’s control strategy kept its two storage tanks at the same temperature, simulating a single tank. The other system employed a dual temperature strategy designed to allow greater flexibility in adjusting to varying isolation. The dual temperature strategy showed a modest 4 percent gain in energy delivered to a load.