Solar thermal system is a system where solar energy is used to generate thermal energy. In other words, it is a process where the energy from the sun is utilized for heating purposes, especially at home. An inexpensive system, solar thermal became popular in the US during the 1970s. During the 1970s, the fuel used for heating water became very scarce and therefore, extremely expensive. People then, started resorting to solar thermal systems as a way to get hot water.

As per the classifications made by the US Energy Information Administration, solar thermal systems have been divided into three categories, namely:

i.    Low-temperature collectors
ii.    Medium-temperature collectors
iii.    High-temperature collectors

Low-temperature collectors are solar thermal flat plates that are used to heat swimming pools. Medium-temperature solar thermal flat plates are for residential and commercial use, while the high-temperature flat plates ate used for electricity generation.

According to various energy-consumption studies in the US, it has been found that almost half of the energy used in American homes is for the purpose of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation. Solar thermal systems can save a good part of this energy, and reduce escalating energy bills too. The solar thermal systems store solar energy during the day. They make use of this stored energy during the night or cooler times, such as a cloudy or a windy day. However, the efficacy of the solar thermal system will depend a lot on factors such as, the climate of the region, lighting during the day as well as the shading conditions.

Even within the category of residential use, solar thermal system can be divided into two kinds of systems:

i.    Active solar thermal system
ii.    Passive solar thermal system

Active solar thermal system collects the sun’s energy either through water or through mediums such as antifreeze solutions, absorption refrigeration or desiccant cycles. In this case, the heat is dispersed through the mediums. The passive solar thermal system collects solar energy in stored water. Here, the cold water flows inside a drain valve and hot water flows out in a storage tank. These systems can be afforded by an average household. They do not even require heavy maintenance. For instance, a Trombe wall is passive solar thermal system. It is a heating and ventilation system where there is an air channel between a window and a sin-facing thermal mass. For ventilation, the thermal mass stores the solar energy in itself. It then warms the air channel, and leads to circulation through vents located in the top and bottom of the wall. For heating purposes, the Trombe wall radiates stored heat.

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