Solar water heating
Practical Action
Two types of solar water heaters were developed during this project and were tailored to suit
the surrounding environment.
Auto-storage Model
Simple to construct
Suitable for rural areas
Dark and insulated tank containing
200litres of water placed in a semi-
parabolic reflector which directs the
solar energy
Table 6: Solar water heater models developed
Solar Collector Model
Complicated to construct
Suitable for urban applications
Direct system operating using the
thermosyphon effect
Collector is a black water cistern
covered by a pane of glass
Recycled and local materials used to
reduce costs
These developments were achieved by affording 30 previously unemployed young people the
opportunity to work as a cooperative formed by the Opportunities Industrialization Center
(OIC). Mini-cooperatives were then setup and the 30 original people in the scheme were
helped to start their own businesses. This scheme was therefore not only improving the lives of
local people through access to hot water and the inherent sanitary benefits, but was also
advantageous to the local economy and self-sufficiency of the area. Cost savings achieved
through the reduction in firewood required was also a notable benefit.
The affordability and adaptations for implementation are key to the success of this project as
community facilities such as health clinics, schools and community centres can greatly benefit
from these systems. By the end of the first phase of the project, solar water heaters had been
installed in 10 public facilities.
The cost of the equipment and installation were noted to be between $280 and $430 per unit
when produced locally. When this is compared to the significantly higher costs associated with
the import of these heaters ($1000 - $2000), it is not difficult to appreciate how this scheme
made the heaters more accessible to the local population of this area of West Africa.
The article notes that at the time of its publication, a second phase of the project was
underway investigating the installation of the heaters into new homes, with the cost of the unit
being integral to the cost of the house.
A similar project was initiated by the same organisation in Egypt in the year 2000 which also
experienced the benefits to health and employment afforded by a scheme of this type.
(Community Action to Address Climate Change,
2003)
Hospitals
(Lebanon, 2007) (Pakistan, 2011)
In Lebanon, Government funds coupled with grants from Spain afforded the chance to install
solar water heating systems in four hospitals, each with a capacity of 4000litres. This was part
of the Country Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Demonstration Project for the
Recovery of Lebanon (CEDRO). One article describing these installations focuses on the
lessons learned from the experience. It contains a link to a presentation that describes the
system installed in one of the hospitals, the problems encountered and a suggested
preventative maintenance checklist.
(Lebanon: Checklist for Solar Installations in Hospitals, 2007)
In Pakistan, Jo Wilson describes the triumphs and failures experienced during the design and
construction of a thermosyphon solar water heating system that would serve a hospital laundry.
The drive behind installing the system was to reduce the gas bills incurred as a result of the
two gas geysers (boilers) currently used. The processes undertaken throughout construction are
described alongside the lessons learned.
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