Solar Roof Design for Heating and Cooling

This engineering project explores the concept of utilizing solar roof design to regulate a house's temperature through heating and cooling. The study examines two primary designs: one incorporating skytherm for radiant energy transfer and another featuring a water system with heat exchangers and boilers. The project analyzes the efficiency of different roof orientations and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each design approach, highlighting cost considerations and suitability for various climates.

Engineering Project1
Engineering Project
By
Student’s Name
Course
Tutor
University
Date of Submission

Engineering Project2
Abstract
The energy crisis across the globe has been clearly documented in previous studies.
Energy consumption in households accounts for high expenses in family budgets (Salameh,
2017, p. 9). As a result, there have been consistent research and innovative works to help in
reducing the cost households spend on energy. In line with such, renewable sources energy such
as solar energy have been innovated. Several modifications have been introduced in solar panels
to optimize their efficiency in solar energy harnessing. The solar plates which were used
previously was to capture solar energy, store it as a photovoltaic cell then later on convert the
energy to electrical (H?berlin, 2012, p. 51). Notably, more developments arose where solar
panels were developed and used to heat water for domestic usage. However, this paper
concentrates on developing the idea of using solar roof design to help in the heating and cooling
of the house. In this concept, the solar panels will be used as a roof placed horizontally and the
inside space filled with water to help in the control of solar energy (Burdick, & Schmidt, 2017, p.
34). The roof is incorporated with skytherm so as to help in radiant changing of energy without
change in the components of the solar roof design (Waite, 2011, p. 18). The other option was one
where metallic solar plate was horizontal with a large water system connected through piping
installed below the plate. The water temperature in this case was controlled through a heat
exchanger and boiler. This study also confirms that orientation of the roof between an angle of
45-60 degrees depending with the direction of the sun ensure optimum harnessing of solar
energy. This design clearly explains how solar roof panel can regulate room temperature
depending on the season hence promoting cooling and heating of a room.

Engineering Project3
Conclusions
Solar energy is a fundamental form of energy when harnessed and used for various
applications. It is renewable energy which helps in saving households a lot of money. Therefore,
developing a solar food design to help in harnessing solar energy at the same time cooling and
heating the house is monumental. Having solar roof design with skytherm makes it difficult to
regulate or control the power that is dispersed to the household thermally. Therefore, this type of
design is found to not be suitable for cold regions. However, the solar panels with water system
under them are used where heat transfer through the water system is promoted through the use of
heat exchangers and boilers. The cost of installations of these system is high as compared to the
system where the solar panels are covered with skytherm. Moreover, the second system do not
require skytherm for insulation instead, a smaller air chamber is created to help in insulation.
Apart from the air chamber, the house enjoys thermal protection due to the glazing shield that is
installed under the air chamber. Notably, when the system was tilted at an angle of 45 – 60
degrees to the direction of the sun, the amount of energy harnessed is 3 times more than the
energy harvested from the horizontal roof design.

Engineering Project4
References
H?berlin, H. (2012). Photovoltaics System Design and Practice. Hoboken: John Wiley &
Sons.
Salameh, Z. (2017). Renewable energy system design.
https://www.elsevier.com/books/renewable-energy-system-design/salameh/978-0-12-
374991-8
Waite, O. (2011). Advances in Solar Power. New Delhi: World Technologies.
Burdick, J., & Schmidt, P. (2017). Install your own solar panels: Designing and
installing a photovoltaic system to power your home. Hampshire: Flex Publishers.