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U.S. Department of Energy
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Solar energy system performance evaluation: Aratex Services, Inc. , Industrial Laundry, Fresno, California, November 1977--May 1978

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6593975· OSTI ID:6593975

An operational summary of how the solar energy system installed at ARATEX Services Inc., an industrial laundry located in Fresno, California, performed during the report period is provided. This analysis is made by evaluation of measured system performance and by comparison of measured climatic data with long term average climatic conditions. Performance of major subsystems is also presented to illustrate their operation. Included are: a brief system description, review of actual system performance during the report period, analysis of performance based on evaluation of meteorological load and operational conditions, and an overall discussion of results. Monthly values of average daily insolation and average ambient temperature measured at the ARATEX site are presented. Also presented are the long-term, average monthly values for these climatic parameters. The ARATEX system collected an average of 67 million Btu of solar energy per month. The available solar radiation was 75 percent of the long term average. The use of both a solar energy and heat recovery system at ARATEX has combined to reduce the total load of a system without heat recovery by approximately 45 percent. The solar energy system alone contributed 16 percent of the total hot water load at the site. Damage to the Lexan covers on fourteen of the total 140 collectors was reported. This damage is believed to have been caused by winds.

Research Organization:
International Business Machines Corp., Huntsville, AL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EG-77-C-01-4049
OSTI ID:
6593975
Report Number(s):
SOLAR/2008-78/14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English