Following complaints that there are difficulties setting up solar water heating systems in high rises and multi-storey buildings, the University of Pune’s (UoP) School of Energy Studies, in association with the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), drafted guidelines on installation of solar water heating systems (SWHs) for such dwellings.
Such guidelines on solar water heater system have been laid for the first time. There were no written guidelines before this.
The guidelines stress the need to incorporate the system at the designing level. In fact builders must be made to create sufficient space while constructing high rises for the installation of solar water heaters.
“Laying these systems on small buildings is easy, however, it is challenging to install these solar water heaters on high rises as the consumption of hot water by the occupants is high and there are other constraints, such as limited terrace area and longer pipes,” said SV Ghaisas, the director at UoP’s School of Energy Studies.
He further said that the guidelines would help manufacturers, installers, developers and the architects to work cohesively towards reduction in the consumption of traditional power. He added that there were several complaints from the people that SWHs could not be installed successfully on the terrace of apartment blocks in high rises. To address the issues, the School of Energy Studies and MNRE together drafted these guidelines.
“We have given these guidelines to some authorised manufacturers, suppliers of water heating systems, architects and developers which they can implement while designing SHWs on the high rises,” added Ghaisas.
“There is an accelerated pressure to reduce the use of fossil fuel, both due to limited reserves in the earth crust and the environmental need to reduce the carbon foot print. On the other hand, most of the electricity generation is through thermal power plants, which use fossil fuel as raw source of energy,” Gaisas said.
Therefore, he said, solar energy was the long lasting solution for the never ending demand of electricity. Out of various means of solar energy solutions, the water heater system in residential set-ups is a boon.
Guidelines
Separate hot water system for each wing of a society
Split hot water tanks running parallel, with topmost tank of smaller capacities installed in middle floors, including electronic control to heat water if required so that supply to lower flats is quicker
Shade-free installation area
Alternative means to ensure hot water even during non-sunshine hours
Instant electric geyser to guarantee immediate hot water during days without sunshine
Solar collectors be installed on a fabricated structure to avoid damage to terrace waterproofing
Concealed piping in flat, with suitable outlet set up outside the bathroom, in order to connect to SWH through insulated piping
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}