Utilização da energia solar em sistemas de aquecimento de água residencial

Abstract

The awareness of the importance of the environment has stimulated the study of new energy sources renewed and less pollutant. Amongst these sources, solar energy stands alone for being perennial and clean. The use of solar energy in systems of residential water heating, instead of the electric shower, can compliment the economy of electric energy, based of the Brazilian energy matrix. To know all the factors that influence the operation of a system of water heating by solar energy is important in the determination of its economic viabilities, techniques and, distribution targeting in urban and agricultural residences. To evaluate equipment of water heating for solar energy in the region west of the Paraná, an archetype with similar characteristics to equipment used in residences for two inhabitants was built, to function with natural circulation or thermosiphon and without help of a complementary heating system. The room temperature and the speed of the wind were also evaluated, verifying its influence in the heating system. The equipment revealed technical viability, reaching the minimum temperature of 35°C for shower, whenever the solar radiation was above the 3500 W.m-2, for the majority of the studied days. The system operated without interruptions and it did not need maintenance, except for the monthly glass cleaning. Economic viability was clearly demonstrated since the useful life of the equipment exceeded the period of use to gain its investment.