CI-81-07-5 -- Correlations of Laboratory Test Results with Field Performance of Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems under Controlled Draw Rates PDF

In November 1979, the Tennessee Valley Authority,(TVA) began the evaluation of solar domestic hot water (SDHW) systems. Selected systems were to be included in a low interest loan program for SDHW systems in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Eighty-nine systems were proposed by manufacturers. Analyses of the proposals resulted in 32 systems being selected for thermal performance testing ; these were tested at five different laboratories according to a task document written by TVA and NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The document was a revision of the original ASHRAE 95P Test Standard which was later changed to incorporate many of the features of the TVA test document. The revised ASHRAE standard and the TVA test document differed chiefly in a TVA load management requirement, in the energy input hardware configuration, and in the interpretation of the data. The testing and engineering evaluation resulted in 11 systems originally being selected for our Nashville and Middle Tennessee installation program; but, the evaluation process continued and new systems were added.