aurinkolämpöjärjestelmistä

Aurinkolämpöjä, also known as solar thermal energy, refers to the conversion of solar radiation into thermal energy. This is achieved through solar collectors, which absorb sunlight and heat a fluid, typically water or a mixture of water and antifreeze. This heated fluid can then be used for various purposes, most commonly for domestic hot water heating and space heating.

The fundamental principle behind solar thermal systems involves capturing the sun's energy and transferring it to a working fluid. Solar collectors are the key components, and they come in various designs, with flat-plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors being the most prevalent. Flat-plate collectors consist of an insulated, dark-colored absorber plate beneath a transparent cover. Evacuated tube collectors use a series of glass tubes, each containing an absorber, with a vacuum between the inner and outer glass layers to minimize heat loss.

Once the fluid is heated in the collectors, it is circulated through a heat exchanger, where its thermal energy is transferred to the water supply for a building or to a radiant heating system. For domestic hot water, the heated fluid typically warms the potable water stored in a tank. In space heating applications, the warmed fluid can be used in radiators or underfloor heating systems.

The amount of energy generated by a solar thermal system depends on factors such as the size and efficiency of the collectors, the amount of solar radiation received, and the system's design and installation. While solar thermal systems can significantly reduce reliance on conventional energy sources for heating, they are often supplemented by conventional heating systems to ensure a consistent supply of hot water and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, especially during periods of low solar irradiation.