Performance Comparison of Different Types of Solar Thermal Collectors on Residential Space Heating Demand in High-Altitude Cold Climatic Environment: A Simulation-Based Study
Abstract
On the one hand, high-altitude rural Kyrgyz houses have a high heat demand, especially due the age of buildings and low temperatures in winter evoked by the cold continental climate. On the other hand, this climate results in a high amount of solar irradiation over the year which is ideal for the application of solar systems and in particular solar thermal systems for heat energy supply. This study investigates the performance of different types of solar thermal collectors by considering the challenges for a solar thermal system in the harsh climate of Kyrgyzstan. For in-depth assessment, a parametric study on appropriate collector types was performed which helps to select the potentially most suitable combination of system components based on energy output, system security and economic feasibility.