Study on Thermal Performance Assessment of Solar Hot Water Systems (SHWS) in Malaysia

Solar Hot Water Systems (SHWS) are gaining popularity in Malaysia due to increasing electricity price as well as the environmental awareness of using fossil fuels. The penetration of these systems and the technologies into Malaysian markets is a welcoming development. However, there is a need for a proper rating system for solar hot water in relation to quantify the overall energy savings. In order to develop the rating systems, a study on thermal performance assessment of SHWS in Malaysia is required. Until now, there has been no method of assessing the thermal performance for these systems thus consumers have no way of assessing the economy of their SHWS. In view of this, Malaysia should be prepared for such development by supporting consumers in assessing the SHWS. Furthermore, at the national level, the contribution of this technology to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions cannot be quantified. The main objective for this project is to study the thermal performance assessment of SHWS in Malaysia by using combined direct measurement and computer modeling or simulation method. In order to evaluate the thermal performance of the system, a computer model known as TRNSYS Simulation Program is employed whereby most of the main components which are relevant to the systems are interconnected in the model. In order to study the thermal performance of SHWS, various researches were done in order to establish reliable input parameters to be entered into the performance rating software. The rating software is develop mainly for this purpose and is discussed in detail in this report. The results for this project revealed the rating of the SHWS produced by the manufacturer based on the thermal performance achieved from the software. The principal conclusion was that although the proposed thermal performance rating calculation method has not been certified and endorsed by Malaysian government, yet the development of the thermal performance rating assessment is the first and crucial step that leads to minimize the energy performance of the SHWS. The proposed thermal performance rating will also help to quantify the energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction of the systems.