Computer Simulation of a Solar Energy System Which Utilizes Flat-Plate Solar Collectors

摘要

This thesis is a computer simulation of a solar energy system that utilizes flat-plate solar collectors. By using available data from the U.S. Weather Bureau, the location and orientation of the collector, characteristics of the collector, and the type of storage and backup heat system in use, it is possible to find the amount of solar energy collected and transferred to storage. A life cycle cost analysis can be accomplished by using financial data and an inflation-discount function to reduce all costs to present year dollars. By varying any of a number of parameters the operator can determine what effect it has on the amount of energy collected and the life cycle costs. Results of running the program for a solar water heater system indicate that such a system is cost effective, when compared to a gas water heater system, only when the federal and state tax incentives were taken into account. However, electricity is approximately three times as expensive as gas per BTU of energy gained so the solar energy system is economically feasible when compared to an electric water heating system. (Author)