review · Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center
Solar water heating provides a sustainable approach to capturing thermal energy for both residential and industrial applications. In domestic settings, these systems supply heat for space heating, cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene, functioning independently or alongside fossil fuel and electrical systems. Industrial uses include high-temperature processes across manufacturing, power generation, construction, and chemical processing. Despite technological progress, widespread commercialisation and adoption remain constrained by notable technical and economic barriers, leaving solar systems overshadowed by unsustainable heating methods. Recent investigations focus on the parameters and components that determine overall thermal efficiency, alongside broader techno-economic assessments of the technology. Collating these findings reveals existing technical and economic research gaps, helping to guide future inquiries into solar water heater performance and viability.
Transitioning from fossil-fuel and electric heating to solar thermal technology offers substantial sustainability benefits for households and industries alike. However, understanding the exact technical factors that govern efficiency, together with the economic hurdles preventing market uptake, is vital for developing viable alternatives to conventional heating systems and accelerating the move towards cleaner thermal energy solutions.
The review addresses residential applications such as water and space heating, as well as industrial uses in chemical processing, power generation, and manufacturing. However, commercialisation remains limited by unresolved technical efficiency and cost constraints. Because this work compiles secondary literature rather than testing a specific product, it sits at a review and conceptual stage, aimed primarily at guiding researchers and developers tackling these commercial and operational hurdles.
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Abstract Background Solar water heating is a highly sustainable method of extracting thermal energy from the sun for domestic and industrial use. In residential buildings, thermal energy from a Solar Water Heater (SWH) can be used to heat spaces, shower, clean, or cook, either alone or in combination with conventional heating systems such as electricity- and fossil-fuel-based heaters. In the industrial sector, SWHs can be used in various high-temperature fluid processes, including chemical processing, manufacturing, power generation, and construction. Despite the technological advancements in water heating systems, there are still some significant technical and economic challenges that limit their widespread adoption and commercialization. Despite their potential to revolutionize the industry, these systems remain in the shadows of unsustainable water heating solutions. Main body of the abstract This paper reviews recent selected publications on the technical and techno-economic aspects of solar water heating technology. The discussions include the effects of some parameters and components on the overall thermal efficiency of the SWHs as well as the techno-economic prospects of the technology. In addition, the paper provides the existing research gaps and recommendations for future research directions. Short conclusion The present review paper is unique because it condenses the recent studies carried out on both the technical and techno-economic aspects of the SWHs. It provides a comprehensive framework for interested readers and researchers to gain insights into the technical and economic status of SWHs. However, it is not an exhaustive study. The information presented can aid researchers in conducting further research on the subject, as well as understanding the future of SWHs.
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DOI: 10.1186/s42269-024-01187-1
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