Large areas in many countries are populated but have no connection to a national electricity grid. Centralized

electricity generating facilities burning fossil fuels have been the normal. Renewable energy resources, especially

solar energy is now penetrating this sector. Long-term energy storage is the universal challenge in providing

renewables-based electricity with high availability across the seasons. Solar domestic hot water system is widely

used and developing fast in recent years. However many problems occur at the same time, for example more energy

consumption by circulation pump, water reheating, long investment payback period, and etc. The motivation for the

development of a combined hot water and sorption store is to complement the advantages and to reduce the

disadvantages of the two particular storage technologies. Hot water stores offer high heat supply rates but are

particularly suitable for short term storage due to heat losses whereas for a sorption store the power drain is low but it shows the advantage of a high storage density and long-term heat storage almost without losses. We investigated the demonstration project and discuss the need for authoritative system modelling in order to size the system components for minimum cost at a designated availability of supply

Al-Amin, M.

Al-Mamun, M. R.

Hasan, M. R.

Hossain, S. I.

Khan, M. Z. H.

Majumder, S. C.

Sikdar, S.

English

Universiti Teknologi MARA Institutional Repository

Proceedings of Postgraduate Conference on Global Green Issues (Go Green), UiTM (Perak), Malaysia, 7-8 October 2015 
 
 
72 
 
Hybrid Technology for the use of Solar Energy: The Challenge towards Green 
Energy 
 
S. I. Hossain
1
, M. R. Al-Mamun, S. Sikdar
2
, M. Al-Amin
3
, S. C. Majumder
4
, M. R. Hasan
5
, 
M. Z. H. Khan
6
 
6
Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore 7408, Bangladesh 
Email: zaved.khan@yahoo.com 
 
 
Abstract 
 
Large areas in many countries are populated but have no connection to a national electricity grid. Centralized 
electricity generating facilities burning fossil fuels have been the normal. Renewable energy resources, especially 
solar energy is now penetrating this sector. Long-term energy storage is the universal challenge in providing 
renewables-based electricity with high availability across the seasons. Solar domestic hot water system is widely 
used and developing fast in recent years. However many problems occur at the same time, for example more energy 
consumption by circulation pump, water reheating, long investment payback period, and etc. The motivation for the 
development of a combined hot water and sorption store is to complement the advantages and to reduce the 
disadvantages of the two particular storage technologies. Hot water stores offer high heat supply rates but are 
particularly suitable for short term storage due to heat losses whereas for a sorption store the power drain is low but 
it shows the advantage of a high storage density and long-term heat storage almost without losses. We investigated 
the demonstration project and discuss the need for authoritative system modelling in order to size the system 
components for minimum cost at a designated availability of supply. 
 
Keywords: Solar energy; hot water, sustainable development, green technology. 
 
 
1.0  Introduction 
 
The solar energy is the most capable of the alternative energy sources. Due to increasing Demand for energy and 
rising cost of fossil type fuels (i.e., gas or oil) solar energy is considered as an attractive source of renewable energy 
that can be used for water hearing in both homes and industries [1-5]. Heating water consumes nearly 20% of total 
energy consumption for an average family. Solar water heating systems are the cheapest and most easily affordable 
clean energy available to homeowners that may provide hot water required by a family. Solar heater is a device used 
for heating the water which produces steam for domestic and industrial purposes by utilizing the solar energy [2]. 
Solar energy is energy which comes from the sun in the form of solar radiations in infinite amount. When these solar 
radiations fall on absorbing surfaces, it converts into heat, thus this heat is used for heating the water. This type of 
thermal collector suffers from heat losses due to radiation and convection. Such losses increase rapidly as the 
temperature of the working fluid increases. Solar hot water system may dominating over the solar heating system as 
it is easy to maintain, relatively low manufacturing and maintenance cost [4]. Being a part of a developing country, 
which has crisis of electricity and unavailability of natural gas,may disconnect remote places. To reduce the pressure 
on the power sector where we already have a lot of crisis, we need an alternative water heating system that provides 
continuous hot water supply without consumption of electricity. The system can be implemented perfectly, when a 
system has greater efficiency value. Solar water heating is an accepted technology and is increasingly being used as 
one of the cost-effective means of heating water in residential and public buildings such as hotels, laundries, 
restaurants, hospitals and health centres [3]. Hot water is also required in large quantities in hotels, hospitals, hostels, 
and industries such as textile, paper, and food processing of dairy and edible oil. Solar water heating systems can 
heat water from ambient temperature to temperatures over 80 °C depending on the collector type employed in a 
given locality. In 1891, Kemp patented a way to combine the old practice of exposing metal tanks to the sun with the 
scientific principle of the hot box, thereby increasing the tanks' capability to collect and retain solar heat [5]. He 
called his new solar water heater the Climax - the world first commercial solar water heater. By 1983, 60% of the 
population heated their water with the sun.The extrapolated results based on the experimental study showed that the 
solar domestic water heating unit is capable of an annual heat recovery of 789 kWh electricity [6]. In this analysis, 
we use a thermoelectric generator that is capable of heat recovery of 869 kWh electricity,because of auto circulation 
Proceedings of Postgraduate Conference on Global Green Issues (Go Green), UiTM (Perak), Malaysia, 7-8 October 2015 
 
 
73 
 
of hot water in the flat plate solar collector.It mainly depends on the space of reservoir. We can also larger amount 
of thermoelectric generator by using series connection for obtaining the higher heat recovery. 
 
The aim of the project is to study thermal behavior of two basic configurations of solar water heating systems, for a 
generic hot water demand and to investigate the efficacy of the thermal stratification on performance of the system 
as a whole. It also includes study of temperature control in the tank and the auxiliary heater control on the 
performance of the solar domestic hot water system. It also improving environmental impact & reduces greenhouse 
gas emission through reduced of electricity & burning fuel, because of fossil fuel combustion produces greenhouse 
gases. 
The objectives of the project was to understand the heat transfer characteristic of solar domestic water heating 
system and to explore the fact that these modified hot water cylinder could be controlled in such a way that it 
operate efficiently and can produce hot water cheaply. 
 
2.0 Methodology 
 
By switching on motor, water from the reservoir first comes to the bend copper tube which thermal conductivity is 
high i.e.400Wm/K & 3/8 inch diameter through the insulating pipe. The catching is covered with a black coated cork 
sheet which coustic resistivity is 1.2×105& rust oleumappearing with a 7375 white 7394 black semi-glossthatis 
added to the cork sheet surface. The catching front surface is closed with a low iron glass (approximately .85-.90 at 
normal incidence). The catching is kept in a hot, shiny place where the copper tube gets greater amount of heat.  
Solar energy is energy that comes from the sun in the form of solar radiations in infinite amount, when these solar 
radiations fall on absorbing surfaces of the catching, it then converts into heat, thusheat is used for heating the water. 
The hot water which comes from the copper tube goes to the reservoir through another insulating pipe and this hot 
water is again re-circulated several times through the copper tube in a similar manner. Thus when our required 
temperature is achieved the motor is switched off. For backup support or for rapid heating process a heating coil is 
also used in the reservoir. This heating coil is also driven by dc battery (6V).Another pot which contains cold or 
normal room temperature water comes in contact with the reservoir which contains hot water with the help of two 
heat sinks joined with a thermoelectric generator (40mm X 40mm) and a thickness of 1.8mm.As a result for 
temperature difference according to Peltereffect, it will produce electricity. This electricity is used for lighting and 
also in charging dc battery which is used here. 
 
 
Scheme 1: Proposed model of using solar energy for multipurpose use. 
 
  
Proceedings of Postgraduate Conference on Global Green Issues (Go Green), UiTM (Perak), Malaysia, 7-8 October 2015 
 
 
74 
 
3.0 Results & Discussions: 
 
We get maximum heated temperature water during summer compared to the winter season. It is observed that we get 
maximum heated temperature water at the time period of 11:00 AM To 1:00 PMDuring the summer season. The 
reason is , at that time the sun is kept inclined over the catching. As a result the intensity of the heat on the catching 
is too high & the copper tube becomes highly heated. We also get minimum heated temperature water at the time 
period of 8.00-10.00 AM during winter season.as a result of intensity from the heat on the catching is too lower and 
the copper tube becomes slightly heated. Again we can see that the higher the temperature difference between the 
normal & hot water is, the greater the amount of current in which we can achieve fromthePelter effect. 
Effect during summer season: At 06.05.2015, duration  of 8.00 to 10.00 where the room temperature was 25°C and 
water temperature was  24°C,duration of 11.00 to 1.00 where the room temperature was 31°C and water temperature 
was 29°C,duration of 2.00 to 4.00 where the room temperature was 28°C and water temperature was 26°C 
respectively. 
 
Figure 1: Effect of different season on water temperature 
 
Effect on Temperature by using whippermotor:Solar domestic hot water heating  systems absorb heat from the sun 
and transfers it to the water used for showers, cleaning, and various other tasks, reducing the amount of fossil fuel or 
electricity needed to heat the water. Here, the maximum amount of temperature is obtained by the auto circulation of 
whipper motor which is given by 6 volt dc battery and thus the temperature is higher when the full sun is inclined to 
a 45º angle of the solar collector. The figure shows that the maximum hot water near to about 77.5ºC during the 
11.00- 1.00 ( AM To PM ) because of higher intensity of solar energy so that higher energy is absorbed by the rust 
oleum coated U shape copper tube while for the duration of 2.00-4.00PM, the hot water temperature lowers to 72ºC, 
because of lower intensity of solar energy as well as the temperature of 58ºC , which is because of much lower 
intensity of solar energy. We can also see that, the maximum temperature of hot water is produced by using auto 
circulation of whipper motor and each cases were run in 2 hour. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 2: Effect of voltage on temperature difference 
 
0
20
40
60
80
100
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
5
0
6
0
7
0
8
0
9
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
2
0T
e
m
p
er
a
tu
re
 °
C
Time , min
Time vs Temperature
8.00-10.00 AM
11.00-1.00 (AM TO 
PM)
2.00-4.00 PM
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0 10 20 30 40 50
V
o
lt
a
g
e
Temperature difference , dT
Temperature difference vs Voltage
8.00-10.00 AM
11.00-1.00 (AM To PM)
2.00-4.00PM
Proceedings of Postgraduate Conference on Global Green Issues (Go Green), UiTM (Perak), Malaysia, 7-8 October 2015 
 
 
75 
 
Effect on Thermoelectric generator:Thermoelectric generators are all solid-state devices that convert heat into 
electricity. Unlike traditional dynamic heat engines, thermoelectric generators contain no moving parts and are 
completely silent. It can become competitive because they are compact, simple (inexpensive) and scalable. A 
thermoelectric generator converts heat (Q) into electrical power (P) with efficiency η.     
  
∴P = ηQ 
 
The efficiency of a thermoelectric converter depends heavily on the temperature difference ΔT = Th– Tc across the 
device. The Pelter effect is based on temperature difference and therefore, when the temperature difference is higher, 
the amount of electricity production is greater. Then the electricity is stored in the storage system.The figure shows 
that during 8.00-10.00 AM, the electricity is produced 2.02 volt, where the temperature difference is 31ºC and 
duration of 11.00-1.00 (AM To PM ), the electricity is produced 3.20 volt, where the temperature difference is 
46.5ºC and also duration of 2.00-4.00 PM, the electricity is produced 2.12 volt, where the temperature difference is 
43ºC.  
 
Figure 3: Effect of DC heater on temperature profile 
 
Effect on Resistance:Theresistor reduces the velocity of the electron momentarily, but at the same time the field 
gives extra velocity to the electron. Effectively the mean velocity will settle at an equilibrium between these two 
processes, so the potential and field in fact determine the velocity of the electrons. The voltage however depends on 
speed of the electrons and also the density of the electrons. The density is adjusts to make the voltage constant. 
 
Calculation of Efficiency of Solar Water Heating System  in Summer Season:Efficiency of solar water heating 
system is given by the ratio of energy released from the solar water heating system to energy gained by this solar 
water heating system. 
 
Energy input or energy gained by solar water heating system Ein= m × CP× T 
Ein=0.5kg × 4.186kj/kg 
o
C × 48.5ºC    =101.51 kj 
Now we know, Power,P=Voltage × Current = V × I = 3.20 × 1.288 = 4.1216W                            
Energy released by solar water heating system or output of energy,Eout=Power × time duration = 4.1216W × 2h (as 
11 am to 1pm) 
= 8.2432 W-h = (8.2432 × 3600)/1000 = 29.68kj 
Efficiency=29.68kj/101.51kj = 0.2924 
If we want to represent it by percentage then efficiency=0.2924 × 100% =29.24% 
Our solar water heating system was able to heat 0.5 liters of water from a starting temperature 29
o
C to final 
temperature 77.5
o
C on that day at 11 am to 1 pm.The efficiency of that solar water heating system in summer was 
29.24% which means that 29.24% energy created by the sun
’
s heat was captured by the model thus able to heat 
water by 77.5
o
C and also helps to produce 3.20 volt. 
Similarly, 
If we want to represent it by percentage then efficiency=0.1475 × 100% =14.75% 
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 5 10 15 20 25
T
e
m
p
er
a
tu
re
, 
°C
Time, min
Temperature profile by using DC heater
8.00-10.00AM
11.00-1.00 (AM To PM)
2.00-4.00 PM
Proceedings of Postgraduate Conference on Global Green Issues (Go Green), UiTM (Perak), Malaysia, 7-8 October 2015 
 
 
76 
 
This study determining the effects of the climate, season, and culture of different regions on hot water use patterns 
will need to be conducted before the findings of this study can be applied to domestic purposes in other regions. 
Also water heaters can be installed only in locations that require good amount of sunlight. It is not possible install 
them indoors. 
 
4.0 Conclusion 
 
The purpose of this work was to develop a low cost solar water heater. The scarcity of electricity and gases in our 
country is too high. Our natural resources are limited. Moreover, the cost of gases and electricity is increasing 
rapidly. As a result, it would not be possible to use hot water for all types of domestic work by using gas or 
electricity. So, we have tried to invent this type of solar water heater so that it can meet all types of demand when 
needed hot water without using gas or electricity. Currently the instrument cost is slightly above the target. Our 
target is to make the instrument cost as low as possible and brings to come cheaply to all classes of people. 
Although, there are several opportunities to significantly reduce the cost. Future tests will focus on durability, 
material selection and cost reduction. Financing options will be further investigated. Eventually a business plan will 
be developed for the mass production and marketing of the product.In this analysis, the flat plate collector is 
considered for analysis purpose with 50-60 liters capacity of hot water tank. It would be a good initiative to explore 
the impact of other types of solar collector panels such as an evacuated tube or a concentrated collector on the solar 
domestic water heating performance or more than one panel. Same point is also applicable to higher capacity storage 
tank such 100-200 liters capacity water tanks.Our solar water heating system was able to heat 0.5 liters of water 
from a starting temperature 24
o
C to final temperature 69
o
C on that day at 11 am to 1 pm. The efficiency of that solar 
water heating system in winter was 14.75% which means that 14.75% energy created by the sun
’
s heat was captured 
by the model thus able to heat water by 69
o
C and also helps to produce 2.10 volt. 
 
5.0 References 
 
John, R. et al. (2015). A comparison of the energy consumption in two passive houses, one with a solar heating 
system and one with an air–water heat pump.Energy and Buildings, 96, 147-161. 
Kamyar T., Alan S. F., Rakesh K.(2015) Performance of two domestic solar water heaters with drain water heat 
recovery units: Simulation and experimental investigation,Applied Thermal Engineering 90, 444-456. 
Luis, A.M.S., Richardo, A.R.R. (2007). Modeling and identification of solar energy water heating system 
incorporating nonlinearities. Solar Energy, 81(5), 570-580. 
Li, Y. et al. (2015). The Effect of Measurement Uncertainty and Environment on Domestic Solar Water Heating 
Systems’ Energy Efficiency Grades.EnergyProcedia, 70, 371-378. 
Saeid, S. et al. (2015).Solar domestic hot water systems using latent heat energy storage medium: A 
review.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 49, 517-533. 
Sara, N. et al. (2015). Corrigendum to “An investigation of the technoeconomic feasibility of solar domestic hot 
water heating for the Canadian housing stock” [Solar Energy 101 (2014) 308–320].Solar Energy (in press). 
 


Hybrid technology for the use of solar energy : the challenge towards green energy / S. I. Hossain ... [et al.]

http://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/33202/1/33202.pdf

Hybrid technology for the use of solar energy : the challenge towards green energy / S. I. Hossain ... [et al.]

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