A solar water heating system for domestic use has been designed and constructed using locally available materials. Solar energy is received by a flat-plate collector consisting of a thin absorber plate, integrated with underneath grids of fluid carrying tubes, and placed in an insulated casing with a transparent glass cover having a cold and a hot water tank integrated in the system. The radiation emitted by the absorber plate cannot escape through the glass, thus increasing its temperature. The water gets heated and flows into a storage tank through thermosyphon principle. Maximum fluid output temperature, the collector temperature, and insolation of 55°C, 51°C, and 1,480W/m2, respectively, were obtained on a sunny day. This solar water heating system finds useful application and acts as a renewable energy resource in regions where there is abundant and consistent sunlight.
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