Optimization of solar domestic hot water system for certain climate zones of Turkey

The optimization of a solar domestic hot water system (SDHWS) for the provinces in certain climate zones of Turkey was investigated in the present study. The optimum design of the system was divided to a three level structure. The simulation level (TRNSYS), the Generalized Pattern Search (GPS) optimization method Hooke-Jeeves Algorithm level (GenOpt) and the interface for the communication between those two levels (TrnOPT). Taking into account the financial (life cycle cost) analysis, the optimum collector area, the optimum collector slope and optimum hot water storage tank volume were determined for each province. The annual simulation of the SDHWS was accomplished with the determined optimum size and the monthly auxiliary heating rate, the monthly solar fraction and the monthly collector efficiency were calculated for each province. In the designed system, the highest auxiliary heating rate was determined 379.63 kWh/month in Hakkari on October and the lowest auxiliary heating rate was determined 177.48 kWh/month in Izmir on October. The lowest monthly solar fractions from the solar water heating system were calculated for Edirne as 8% in December and as 17% in January. The costs of meeting the annual auxiliary heating rate and the annual energy rate to load with electricity and natural gas were compared. The effects of increased utilization of the SDHWS in buildings on the energy supply of Turkey were addressed.