Efficiency of functioning solar collectors in selected households

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the efficiency of the solar collector system in south-eastern Poland. The basis of the article are the results of actual measurements recorded by the system measuring in 5 years (2014-2018). Three solar collectors with a total gross area of 6.3 m2 are used to heat utility water in a single-family house. The average annual heat production in this system was 1916 kWh. The system’s work was characterized by high seasonal and daily variability, which is related to the Polish climate’s specificity. Using the energy production data, the reduction of pollutant emissions achieved by changing the energy carrier was calculated: from electricity to heat from a renewable source, which is solar radiation. The installation of solar collectors allowed for satisfying part of the energy demand as well as reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere.