LA-80-09-2 -- Comparison of Experimental and Computer-Predicted Performance for Six Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems PDF

Currently three computer programs, TRNSYS, f-CHART, and SOLCOST, are being extensively used for the design and evaluation of solar space heating and domestic hot water systems. Although widely used, the accuracy of their predictions needs to be verified with experimental data. In order to provide data required for the validation of these computer programs for solar domestic hot water systems, the staff of the National Bureau of Standards fabricated and instrumented six typical systems at its Gaithersburg, MD site. The systems have been operating since June, 1978. This paper describes the testing done, the experimental results, and compares the experimental results with the computer predictions for the first twelve months of operation.