DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR WATER HEATER FOR DOMESTIC USE

ABSTRACT

Climate change, global warming, and greenhouse gas emissions are all negative effects of the world's reliance on fossil fuels for energy production. There is a rising demand for alternate and ecologically friendly energy sources as a result of these difficulties. Solar energy systems have become a promising alternative because of their capacity to produce sustainable energy with little harm to the environment. Particularly solar water heaters provide an economical way to generate hot water for home and industrial uses while lowering dependency on traditional heating techniques. The goal of this project is to create and design a solar water heating system that uses the thermosiphon and a parabolic solar concentrator. The objective is to efficiently harness solar energy for home usage, paying close attention to the Nigerian setting. The project recognizes that Nigeria has an abundance of raw materials for making parabolic solar collectors, and it solves the problem of erratic sunshine by including a pump to help the circulation process. The construction and design of a solar water heater, an evaluation of the system's performance, a reduction in the environmental effect of electric heating, and the promotion of technological developments in solar water heating technology are all goals of this study. It has the potential to drastically lower Nigeria's energy expenditures and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in light of the country's intermittent access to electricity. By employing solar energy, the initiative helps to create a greener environment, reduces home electricity costs, and supports the global transition to renewable energy sources. Although the idea mainly uses the thermosiphon theory, it recognizes the necessity for sporadic mechanical assistance in situations with insufficient sunlight. This constraint highlights the significance of ongoing research and development in the field of solar water heating. The project's ultimate goal is to contribute to a greener and more energy-efficient future by offering a long-term and cost-effective solution to Nigeria's water heating demands.