This document describes a student's solar water heater project. The student built a simple and inexpensive solar water heating system using recycled plywood, copper tubing, and other low-cost materials. Temperature data was collected over several days in April, showing the system was able to heat water effectively when solar radiation levels were highest between 2-4pm, with a maximum temperature of 98.8 degrees F reached. The conclusions discuss ways to improve the system design, such as adjusting the angle and adding insulation.

1. Solar Water Heater Project
Isaiah del Campbell

2. Introduction
• Solar water heaters are used to
capture solar radiation and heat
water.
• These systems are typically used on
a residential level but can be
applied commercially given the
budget.
• Most systems function as continuous
flow systems.
https://wateruseitwisely.com/solarwaterheater/

3. Recognition
of the
Problem
Current water
heaters are either
gas or electric
which continue to
diminish the
available resources
we have.
Capturing solar
radiation to heat
water will allow
these resources to
be used
elsewhere and
less often.

4. Goals
PROCESS STRUCTURAL

5. Constraints
Skills
Little knowledge about
what a SWH looked like
Budget
Home project and
limited supplies
Time
- Continuous watch of
the system in order to
measure data
- Daytime
Weather
If it’s raining, little to
no solar radiation to
capture

6. Considerations
PHYSICAL
FOOTPRINT
HOMEMADE
SYSTEM
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT

7. Literature Review
• Uses glass tubing for
system
• Payback period of 1.5
years
• Data collected over a
full year

8. Design Methodology and Materials
• Simple and relatively cheap supplies
• Low construction efforts
• Small and moveable
• Materials:
• 3’x5’ Plywood Board (recycled)
• ½ ” x 10’ coil of copper: $32.48
• Hose adapter/connector: $6.18
• 1” screws: $5.48 (100 ct)
• ½” straps: $0.78
• Black spray paint: $0.99
• Regular garden hose (used from house)

9. Results – Flow Rate: 50 mL/min
Time
April 21, 2020
Water
Temperature
(℉ )
Inlet: 64℉
Air
Temperature
(℉)
UV: 3
9:00 a.m. 60.9 55
9:20 a.m. 60.4 58
9:40 a.m. 63.9 61
10:00 a.m. 65.3 63
Time
April 21, 2020
Water
Temperature
(℉ )
Inlet: 64℉
Air
Temperature
(℉)
UV: 7
12:00 p.m. 65.6 70
12:20 p.m. 67.8 70
12:40 p.m. 69.8 72
1:00 p.m. 70.2 72

10. Results – Flow Rate: 50 mL/min
Time
April 21, 2020
Water
Temperature
(℉ )
Inlet: 64℉
Air
Temperature
(℉)
UV: 7
3:00 p.m. 94.2 73
3:20 p.m. 80.1 73
3:40 p.m. 92.1 73
4:00 p.m. 98.8 73
Time
April 21 2020
Water
Temperature
(℉ )
Inlet: 64℉
Air
Temperature
(℉)
UV:
4:00 p.m. 98.8 73
4:20 p.m. 93.2 67
4:40 p.m. 86.4 67
5:00 p.m. 84.3 64

11. Results
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
9:00 9:20 9:40 10:00 12:00 PM 12:20 PM 12:40 PM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:20 PM 3:40 PM 4:00 PM 4:20 PM 4:40 PM 5:00 PM
Measured
Temperature
(℉
)
Time
Solar Water Heater Data
Water Air

12. Conclusions
• Best radiation between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• A higher UV index will give better results
• Highest temperature achieved with this system: 98.8 ℉
• What to improve
• Location of system to allow for longer periods of solar capture
• Angle of system as mine was fairly vertical
• Add insulation to system to keep a consistent temperature even when the
air cools down.

13. References
• Yılmaz, 2018 İ.H. Yılmaz Optimization of an integral flat plate
collector-storage system for domestic solar water heating in Adana
Anadolu Univ. J. Sci. Technol. A Appl. Sci. Eng., 19 (1) (2018), pp.
165-176
• https://wateruseitwisely.com/solarwaterheater/