SIMSOL A simulation tool for predicting thermal performance of Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems

1
SIMSOLA simulation tool for predicting thermal
performance of Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems
Dominique CACCAVELLI - CSTB
2
SIMSOL - Background
In 1993, the CSTB developed a simplified tool,
called SOLO, similar to f-chart (monthly based
method), for calculating SDHW systems
In 2000, a Windows compatible version was
updated. This version can be downloaded, free of
charge, from http//software.cstb.fr/
3
SIMSOL Main features

• Domestic hot water applications only
• Design and dimensioning of DHWS
• 1 hour time step simulation tool
• Restricted to medium to large systems (gt 20 m²
  of solar collectors)
• Solar and auxiliary heating (boiler or electric)
  combined
• Sanitary hot water distribution loop included
• 6 different configurations represented

4
SIMSOL Simulation
One of the 6 configurations represented in SIMSOL
The simulation is performed with TRNSYS 15
The deck is automatically generated with IISiBat
5
SIMSOL Interface
A graphical user interface has been elaborated
6
SIMSOL Validation
SIMSOL has been compared with in-situ measurement
results monitored on 3 different large thermal
solar installations Good agreement (lt10)