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Identification of the environmental impact from the use of different materials in domestic solar hot water systems

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  • Martinopoulos, G.
  • Tsilingiridis, G.
  • Kyriakis, N.

Abstract

The use of different materials for the same solar system component (collector, water tank, etc.) affects both the efficiency and the amount of conventional energy substituted by the system and hence the overall environmental impact of a Domestic Solar Hot Water System (DSHWS). The net environmental gain achieved by the use of DSHWS therefore is influenced, among others, by the materials and techniques used, up to 20% in some cases. In this paper, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of a variety of typical, for the Greek market, DSHWS is performed. Their environmental impact, as well as the influence from the use of different materials or/and manufacturing techniques on their impact, is identified. In all cases examined, the environmental impact of the solar systems is significantly lower compared to that of the energy conserved. As thermal efficiency differs from system to system, their environmental performance is influenced mainly by the conventional energy substituted and to a lesser extent by the materials used for their production.

Suggested Citation

  • Martinopoulos, G. & Tsilingiridis, G. & Kyriakis, N., 2013. "Identification of the environmental impact from the use of different materials in domestic solar hot water systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 545-555.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:102:y:2013:i:c:p:545-555
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.08.035
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    Cited by:

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    2. Missirlis, D. & Martinopoulos, G. & Tsilingiridis, G. & Yakinthos, K. & Kyriakis, N., 2014. "Investigation of the heat transfer behaviour of a polymer solar collector for different manifold configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 715-723.
    3. Comodi, Gabriele & Bevilacqua, Maurizio & Caresana, Flavio & Paciarotti, Claudia & Pelagalli, Leonardo & Venella, Paola, 2016. "Life cycle assessment and energy-CO2-economic payback analyses of renewable domestic hot water systems with unglazed and glazed solar thermal panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 944-955.
    4. Yurtsev, Arif & Jenkins, Glenn P., 2016. "Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative water heater systems operating with unreliable water supplies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 174-183.
    5. Bracamonte, Johane, 2017. "Effect of the transient energy input on thermodynamic performance of passive water-in-glass evacuated tube solar water heaters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 689-701.
    6. Carnevale, E. & Lombardi, L. & Zanchi, L., 2014. "Life Cycle Assessment of solar energy systems: Comparison of photovoltaic and water thermal heater at domestic scale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 434-446.
    7. Bany Mousa, Osama & Kara, Sami & Taylor, Robert A., 2019. "Comparative energy and greenhouse gas assessment of industrial rooftop-integrated PV and solar thermal collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 113-123.
    8. Martinopoulos, Georgios, 2020. "Are rooftop photovoltaic systems a sustainable solution for Europe? A life cycle impact assessment and cost analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    9. Zhang, Penglei & Wang, Baolong & Shi, Wenxing & Li, Xianting, 2015. "Experimental investigation on two-phase thermosyphon loop with partially liquid-filled downcomer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 10-17.

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