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Kalkener solar thermal water heating systems online simulation software

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    Kalkener's online solar simulation software allows calculating solar thermal water heating systems: the sizing of its main components according to the monthly, weekly and daily hot water consumption profiles, the solar site survey, the shading, orientation and tilt losses, the optimal position of solar collectors located on sloped roofs, the annual solar energy production (taking in account losses) and its key profitability indicators, (IRR and NPV).

    The aim of this software is to calculate in an accurate, fast and cheap way all the neccesary data in order to make the proper decision on whether or not to invest in this type of facilities.

    Expertise Required: 
    Audience: 

    Students, professionals and people with interes in calculating Solar Thermal Water Heating Systems and its energy production in order to decide whether to invest or not in this technology.

    Input: 
    • The geographical location of the facility.
    • The Monthly solar radiation on the horizontal plane.
    • The temperature of the water supply network.
    • The average daytime temperature.
    • Roof features: Deviation from South (if located in Northern Hemisphere) and Slope.
    • Type of collector's integration on the building.
    • The profile of the obstacles that can cast shadows on the solar collectors.
    • The average hot water consumption at 60 ºC per end-user and day
    • The months scheduled for the STWH operation within one year
    • The hot water consumption profiles classified by Month, week and day
    • Type and prices of fuel consumption before and after STWH installation
    • Collector's performance.
    • Parameters to place properly the solar collectors on the (sloped) roof
    • Features of the main equipments (exchangers , primary and secondary loops, solar storage tank, etc.)
    • Solar Fraction
    • Cost Ratios: Implementation, maintenance, monitoring, wardening insurance, etc.
    Output: 
    • Solar collectors' optimal position to maximize the received solar radiation during the operation period taking in account the slope and the orientation of the roof where the collectors are located.
    • Losses associated to orientation and tilt.
    • Solar chart according to the geographical location
    • Shadding losses due to overlaying the solar chart and the surrounding obstacles
    • Sizing of the main equipments (plate heat exchanger, primary and secondary loops, solar storage tank, etc.) to achieve the Solar Fraction.
    • Recalculating the annual Solar Fraction when features of the main equipments are modified
    • Energy production results: Annual and monthly Solar Fraction, Average annual efficiency, thermal energy demanded, solar energy contribution and excess of solar energy generated.
    • Profitability indicators according to static and dynamic calculation methods

    Besides, the profitability report, online issued in PDF format and editable format, shows:

    • Purpose and scope
    • Description of the STWH.
    • The annual and monthly radiation received on the solar collector according to his tilt and orientation.
    • Annual losses: shading, orientation and tilt
    • Monthly shading losses
    • Total weight in full load over the roof due to the solar collectors.
    • Total required area of (sloped) roof (including necessary gaps to avoid auto-shading)
    • Flow, pressure drop, and power of the hydraulic pumps in primary and secondary loops.
    • Percentage solution of antifreeze required in the primaryloop and its boiling and freezing point.
    • Compliance with regulations.
    • Performance charts.
    • Cash-flow curve according to income and expenditure for 25 years.
    Strengths: 

    Fast, cheap and accurate

    Country: 
    USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia
    Major Capabilities: 
    Parametrics and Optimization
    Life-cycle Analysis
    Solar and Photovoltaic Analysis
    Language: 
    Spanish
    English
    Platform: 
    Linux
    Windows
    Mac OS X
    Web/Saas
    Pricing: 
    Reduced for Non-Commercial/Academic Use
    Free To Try
    Help and Support: 
    Free Email Support
    Free Chat/IM Support
    Last Software Update: 
    22 March 2016
    Last Entry Update: 
    22 March 2016
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