Description

Renewable energy is an alternative source of energy which can be useful to meet the difference between the supply and demand of energy. Solar is an effective renewable energy source for a region like Rajasthan that is blessed with high solar radiation. Due to its simplicity flat plate collector has gaining more popularity. Solar air heater is type of flat plate collector which utilizes solar energy into thermal energy to heat the air.Use of thermal energy storage gaining importance with the solar based applications since it can be very helpful in improving the performance of the solar collectors. Energy stored in the form of heat and cold can be use later. Solar energy can be collected by means of absorbing solar radiation therefor absorber plate is used in the flat plate collector. Solar air heater is a flat plate collector i.e. use for transfer collected heat to air. Solar air heater is used for the purpose of space heating and drying the crops, seeds, etc. Performance analysis of solar air heater with and without thermal energy storage was the objective of the work. Improvement in the performance was found when thermal energy storage medium used.