Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

Today, solar thermal systems are well established worldwide with an enormous potential for energy production and for high contribution to the future green energy system. Solar domestic hot water systems with natural circulation are most favorable in areas with a mean annual sum of global radiation on a horizontal surface above 1800kWh−2 year−1 and with collector areas up to 10m2. Forced circulation systems for flat-type solar collectors could be useful in colder climates and for large systems. The application of more complex solar collector technologies depends on the possible demands for higher temperature levels. Several examples concern some industrial applications, whose heat demands could now be met through solar energy. In all the cases, the next challenge is to swiftly make cost-effective all such devices and technologies

Building integration of active solar energy systems: A review of geometrical and architectural characteristics

Solar building integration, differs from everyday active solar energy systems on a building envelope, because the active system replaces building elements and are integrated into the architectural envelope and structure. This article aims to present a comprehensive review and analyse the geometrical and architectural characteristics and design possibilities offered by the building integration of active solar energy systems. The literature studies are separated into double and single façade solutions, as well as solutions where the active system performs as an independent architectural element of the building. It is concluded that the majority of the researchers preferred the single façade solutions, followed by the double façade systems since the second one offers a cavity which can be used as an air duct for the BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) and BIPV/T (Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal) solutions. This work provides an overview of the state of the art systems and geometrical solutions emerging by the development, research, and applications of the BISS (Building Integrated Solar Systems)