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Field Surveys of Non-Residential Solar Water Heating Systems in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Wei-Min Lin

    (Department of Accounting Information, Tainan University of Technology, 529 Jhongjheng Rd., Yongkang, Tainan, Taiwan 710)

  • Keh-Chin Chang

    (Energy Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, 2500 Sec. 1, Chung-Cheng S. Rd, Guiren, Tainan, Taiwan 711)

  • Yi-Mei Liu

    (Energy Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, 2500 Sec. 1, Chung-Cheng S. Rd, Guiren, Tainan, Taiwan 711)

  • Kung-Ming Chung

    (Energy Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, 2500 Sec. 1, Chung-Cheng S. Rd, Guiren, Tainan, Taiwan 711)

Abstract

To develop indigenous alternative and renewable energy resources, long-term subsidy programs (1986–1991 and 2000–present) for solar water heaters have been enforced in Taiwan. By the end of 2010, the total installed area of solar collectors had exceeded 2 million square meters. However, over 98% of solar water heaters were used in residential systems for hot water production, with the areas of installed solar collector being less than 10 square meters. There were only 98 systems with area of solar collectors installed exceeding 100 square meters put into operation from 2001 to 2010. These systems were mainly installed for water heating in dormitories, swimming pools, restaurants, and manufacturing plants. In the present study, a comprehensive survey of these large-scale solar water heaters was conducted. The objectives of the survey were to assess the system performance and to collect feedback from individual users. It is found that lack of experience in system design and maintenance are the key factors affecting reliable operation of a system. Hourly, daily and long-term field measurements of a dormitory system were also examined to evaluate its thermal efficiencies. Results indicated that thermal efficiency of the system is associated with the daily solar radiation. Hot water use pattern and operation of auxiliary heater should be taken into account in system design.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Min Lin & Keh-Chin Chang & Yi-Mei Liu & Kung-Ming Chung, 2012. "Field Surveys of Non-Residential Solar Water Heating Systems in Taiwan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:5:y:2012:i:2:p:258-269:d:16002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chang, Keh-Chin & Lin, Wei-Min & Chung, Kung-Ming, 2013. "Solar thermal market in Taiwan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 477-482.
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    3. Chang, Keh-Chin & Lin, Wei-Min & Leu, Tzong-Shyng & Chung, Kung-Ming, 2016. "Perspectives for solar thermal applications in Taiwan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 25-28.
    4. Zhijian Liu & Hao Li & Xinyu Zhang & Guangya Jin & Kewei Cheng, 2015. "Novel Method for Measuring the Heat Collection Rate and Heat Loss Coefficient of Water-in-Glass Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heaters Based on Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Sabina Kordana-Obuch & Mariusz Starzec & Daniel Słyś, 2021. "Assessment of the Feasibility of Implementing Shower Heat Exchangers in Residential Buildings Based on Users’ Energy Saving Preferences," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-30, September.
    6. Yi-Mei Liu & Kung-Ming Chung & Keh-Chin Chang & Tsong-Sheng Lee, 2012. "Performance of Thermosyphon Solar Water Heaters in Series," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-13, August.
    7. Wei-Min Lin & Kai-Chun Fan & Keh-Chin Chang & Kung-Ming Chung, 2013. "Dissemination of Solar Water Heaters in Taiwan: The Case of Remote Islands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-13, October.
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    10. Keh-Chin Chang & Wei-Min Lin & Kung-Ming Chung, 2015. "Sustainable Development for Solar Heating Systems in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-15, February.
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