This code of practice provides guidelines for the design, material selection, and installation of solar water heating systems for residential and commercial use. It covers aspects like sizing the system based on hot water demand, collector orientation, and installation best practices to ensure efficiency and safety.
Lays down guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of solar water heating systems in various applications.
Quick Reference Values
Recommended collector orientation for Northern HemisphereTrue South
Recommended collector tilt for year-round performanceEqual to the latitude of the location
Recommended collector tilt for winter-biased performanceLatitude + 15 degrees
Typical storage tank capacity per sq.m of collector area50-70 litres
Maximum recommended hot water temperature for storage90 °C
Key Formulas
Collector Area (A) = [Mass (M) x Specific Heat (Cp) x Temp Rise (ΔT)] / [Avg. Solar Radiation (H) x Collector Efficiency (η)]
Practical Notes
Collector orientation is critical: it must face True South in India. Any deviation, especially towards the north, significantly reduces performance.
For thermosyphon systems (most common domestic type), the bottom of the storage tank must be at least 300mm above the top of the collector to ensure proper natural circulation.
The supporting structure for collectors on rooftops must be designed to withstand local wind loads, as the collectors act like sails.