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An investigation of photovoltaic powered pumps in direct solar domestic hot water systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:390247
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Solar Energy Lab., Madison, WI (United States)

The performance of photovoltaic powered pumps in direct solar domestic hot water (PV-SDHW) systems has been studied. The direct PV-SDHW system employs a photovoltaic array, a separately excited DC-motor, a centrifugal pump, a thermal collector, and a storage tank. A search methodology for an optimum PV-SDHW system configuration has been proposed. A comparison is made between the long-term performance of a PV-SDHW system and a conventional SDHW system operating under three control schemes. The three schemes are: an ON-OFF flow controlled SDHW system operating at the manufacturer-recommended constant flow rate, and ON-OFF flow controlled SDHW system operating at the optimum constant flow rate, and a linear proportional flow controlled SDHW system with the flow proportional to the solar radiation operating under an optimum proportionality.

OSTI ID:
390247
Report Number(s):
CONF-960430--; ISBN 0-89553-168-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English