SOLAR MODEL DEVELOPMENT
Solar researchers at the Solar Energy Applications Lab have developed
important component and systems models to assist industry in assessing
the seasonal performance of various solar hot water and space heating systems.
Development and verification of these models has provided members of industry
with an opportunity to estimate the expected annual performance of their
systems and to become certified within the framework of the solar Rating and
Certification Coropration Standards. Some of the more significant model
developments are listed below:
- Models for rigid and flexible stratification manifolds.
- Models for photovoltaic-powered domestic hot water heating systems.
- Incident-angle modifiers for intergral collector/storage systems.
- Models for seasonal space air heating.
- Models for unique heat exchangers, including wrap-around and side -arm heat exchangers.
- Development of a stratification number to characterize thermal stratification in hot water tanks.
- Models for packed tower evaporative dehumidifiers.
- Models for various desiccant cooling cycles.
ENERGY ANALYSIS
Faculty and staff at the Solar Energy Applications Laboratory have considerable expertise in the field of energy analysis in buildings.
Most recently, models have been developed to simulate the performance of ice storage systems in buildings as a demand management air conditioning strategy.
Researchers are also developing user-friendly input strategies for building energy analysis software. Workshops conducted at the completion of this activity will train architects and engineers in the application of energy analysis tools to the design of efficient buildings.
SEAL researchers have also developed daylighting analysis tools. Monte Carlo ray-tracing methods have been used to analyze the effects of specular light reflecting shelves to assist in daylighting south-facing rooms.
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