SSPS Technical Report No. 6/84: Availability and Operation Frequency of Solar Thermal Systems

摘要

It is important to include both the equipment and solar energy availability when describing the availability of a solar system. The purpose of this study is to develop a combined equipment-solar availability model to predict solar thermal system availability. This will result in more realistic performance prediction of solar thermal systems and indicate areas in system design that need improvement. The equipment availability evaluation and prediction methodology are discussed. A definition is developed for solar availability and the use of equipment and solar availability in solar system performance prediction is introduced. A numerical example is given for the instantaneous and steady-state equipment availability models as well as a numerical example for the solar system availability concept. The solar system availability model and its applications are summarized. Recommendations are made on the necessary steps to be taken to establish its utilization. (ERA citation 10:018172)