Solar Thermal Energy Solutions

About this course:

This course focuses on the application of solar heating systems in commercial and residential buildings, with an emphasis on solar-heated hydronic plumbing systems. Students learn how to assess a site’s characteristics for potential solar applications, size the heating load, select the appropriate solar system configuration and associated equipment, and develop an economic analysis of a solar system’s performance. Many of the principles and practices studied can also be applied to the assessment and development of utility-scale solar-thermal power plants, development of solar heating systems for single-family homes, and assessment of solar-photovoltaic applications. Also explored are solar heating methods, components, and system configurations that are proven and known to perform well over the long term, including more complex solar “combisystems,” which feature an economical combination of space heating, domestic hot water, and other heat sources and heat loads. Instruction covers the differences between the most popular types of solar heat collectors and the common types of solar heating systems, their components, and control strategies. Topics discussed include configuration selection, equipment sizing and specification of solar heating system collectors and other components, and their integration into typical hydronic heating systems.