Liquid Solar Thermal Systems in Buildings

Design liquid solar thermal systems with rigorous, practice-driven guidance Liquid-based solar thermal collectors remain widely used yet underrepresented in the technical literature. Liquid Solar Thermal Systems in Buildings addresses this gap with a step-by-step approach to system design, from heat transfer fundamentals and solar radiation theory through system sizing, stagnation management, and collector certification. Written by Walter Grassi, a Max Jakob Memorial Award laureate and Professor Emeritus at the University of Pisa, the book integrates theoretical principles with hands-on engineering practice. Liquid Solar Thermal Systems in Buildings combines academic rigor with practical insights drawn from manufacturer data, real-world installations, and consultancy experience. Detailed numerical examples guide readers through actual design calculations for flat-plate and evacuated tube collector systems serving domestic hot water, space heating, and district heating applications. Coverage spans heat transfer, solar radiation analysis, collector performance modeling, and system integration within residential and commercial buildings. Readers will also find: Detailed numerical examples based on real manufacturer data demonstrating step-by-step design calculations for liquid-based solar thermal systemsCoverage of stagnation management techniques and collector certification procedures relevant to system reliability and regulatory complianceAnalysis of flat-plate and evacuated tube collector types with guidance on selection for specific building applicationsIntegration of theoretical heat transfer and solar radiation principles with practical system sizing methodologies for building projectsApplication-oriented treatment spanning domestic hot water production, space heating, and district heating system design and optimizationLiquid Solar Thermal Systems in Buildings serves material scientists, power engineers, civil engineers, graduate students, and renewable energy professionals who design, evaluate, or specify solar thermal installations. By uniting rigorous thermodynamic analysis with real-world design data, this reference equips practitioners to deliver effective solar thermal solutions for residential and commercial buildings.