Smart Solar Water Heating System: Design, Optimizationand Cost-Effective Performance for Sustainable Domestic Use
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14419/9vf2ax75Published
04-12-2025Keywords:
Sustainability; Solar Water Heating System; ANSYS; Simulation Results; Economic ViabilityAbstract
This paper presents the design, production, and extensive testing of an economical and efficient solar water heating (SWH) system for household applications, which integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology for enhanced performance as well as user experience. The system consists of two photovoltaic components: a flat-plate solar collector for thermal water heating and a PV solar panel integrated with a water circulation pump for circulating water. Sensors are strategically placed on pipes, exterior surfaces, and storage tanks to collect real-time data. These sensors are linked to Arduino microcontrollers, which support remote monitoring and control via a mobile app. ANSYS computational modeling was done for the optimization of thermal performance, and simulated results were very close to experimental findings, with a maximum error of 6.8%. The system achieved a constant-state temperature rise of water from 20 °C to approximately 55 °C in five hours and an efficiency of 39.15%, greater than reported in most of the studies. Cost analysis indicates that the SWH system has 79.5% lower cost than conventional electric water heaters with a payback period of ten years. The result confirms that local-level production of solar water heating solutions is a viable, eco-friendly, economical, and sustainable alternative to conventional heating practices.
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