THE GFL METHOD FOR SIZING SOLAR ENERGY SPACE AND WATER HEATING SYSTEMS

摘要

This report describes the development and utilization of the GFL sizing procedure for designing solar energy space and domestic hot water heating systems. It can be used for both air and liquid solar energy collectors. The principal advantage to the GFL method is its ease and simplicity of use. This method requires only the evaluation of several simple algebraic equations. Hence, neither computers nor programmable calculators are required. A typical design example requires about five minutes to compute by hand or less than one-tenth of a second by computer. The GFL method was validated by making over 1,500 side-by-side comparisons with different collector types (air and liquid), different collector design parameters, in different locations (151 U.S. locations), and for a range of f values from 0 to 90%. Additionally, an independent consultant made 500 side by-side comparisons.