Technical and economic feasibility of the use of solar thermal energy in condominiums with popular dwellings

Abstract

The proposed works consists in the research on the electric power consumption in a Brazilian municipality and effective financial economy and demand the power grid with the installation of solar water heating. The field research was conducted with the survey method with questionnaires applied in a sample of 360 households. As a result it was confirmed that 55,28 % of interviewed households has electric power consumption between 151-200 kWh; all of them have electric shower with an average use time 1 hour/day, the use between 18:00 and 21:00 pm, peak time in Brazil. Therefore, the use of solar thermal energy represents a savings of 12,000 kW / ano for the city and reduce demand electricity grid. Research has proven that low-cost solar water heater is viable to be installed.