An analysis of the feasibility of using a solar water heating system in a hotel : a case study

• Main Author: Fahy, Gary
• Other Authors: Bennett, Kevin
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10463

Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-57). === The use of solar energy to heat water will not only contribute to the mitigation of global climate change due to the reduced combustion of fossil fuels, but it will also reduce the demand on South Africa's strained electricity supply infrastructure. The hotel industry is particularly energy intensive and the production of hot water makes up a significant portion of its electricity consumption. Furthermore, South Africa boasts one of the world's most abundant solar radiation resources. Thus far, however, the use of large-scale solar water heating (SWH) systems in South African hotels is limited, with the lack of economic feasibility likely to be the core reason.