Analysis of Medium-Scale Solar Thermal Systems and Their Potential in Lithuania

Rokas Valančius, Andrius Jurelionis, Rolandas Jonynas, Vladislovas Katinas and Eugenijus Perednis
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Rokas Valančius: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų str. 48, Kaunas LT-44029, Lithuania
Andrius Jurelionis: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų str. 48, Kaunas LT-44029, Lithuania
Rolandas Jonynas: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų str. 56, Kaunas LT-51424, Lithuania
Vladislovas Katinas: Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, Kaunas LT-44403, Lithuania
Eugenijus Perednis: Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, Kaunas LT-44403, Lithuania

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Medium-scale solar hot water systems with a total solar panel area varying from 60 to 166 m 2 have been installed in Lithuania since 2002. However, the performance of these systems varies depending on the type of energy users, equipment and design of the systems, as well as their maintenance. The aim of this paper was to analyse operational SHW systems from the perspective of energy production and economic benefit as well as to outline the differences of their actual performance compared to the numerical simulation results. Three different medium-scale solar thermal systems in Lithuania were selected for the analysis varying in both equipment used (flat type solar collectors, evacuated tube collectors) and type of energy user (swimming pool building, domestic hot water heating, district heating). The results of the analysis showed that in the analysed cases the gap between measured and modelled data of heat energy produced by SHW systems was approx. 11%. From the economical perspective, the system with flat type solar collectors used for domestic hot water production was proved to be most efficient. However, calculation of Internal Rate of Return showed that a grant of 35% is required for this project to be fully profitable.

Keywords: solar heat energy; solar water heating; simulation and monitoring; energy analysis; financial analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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