EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF CURTAIN-WALL-INTEGRATED SOLAR HEATER

Abstract

A wall-integrated solar heating system refers to an architectural design approach that combines hot water generation with the building's construction system. This combination allows this system to feature a hot water generation function and become part of the building façade. Environmental control devices and/or designs in buildings that are capable of harvesting solar thermal energy can effectively capture and store this solar energy and provide energy through the use of, for instance, a hot water system or a low-power thermoelectric material. Thermal energy storage (TES) is the key component for such solar energy use, and it is one of the most promising and sustainable methods for energy storage in buildings. The TES systems used in buildings can be easily divided into three types: sensible, latent, and thermo chemical energy storage (TCES).Because of its numerous advantages, such as its wide range of storage temperatures, high thermal capacity, non toxicity, low cost, and easy obtain ability, water is often used as the storage medium in a solar water heating (SWH) system for domestic solar utilization. However, more effective integration of solar collection in SWH systems within the building envelope is always desirable.