T*SOL 2016 – The Next Generation of Solar Thermal Design Software
Valentin Software has adapted T*SOL, its simulation software for solar thermal systems, in accordance with current funding guidelines. The new version T*SOL 2016 allows users to submit the necessary evidence, e.g. to cover heating and hot water requirements, for German government funding programs. For this purpose, Valentin has added some new systems, increasing the number of pre-configured systems available. These include the integration of external circulating heat exchangers and the series connection of solar buffers. Valentin has also updated the comprehensive component databases in the new version.
Another new feature in TSOL 2016 is the generation of energy labels. Since September 26, 2015, it is mandatory in the EU for all manufacturers, traders and installers to label all boilers for space heating and hot water systems in respect of their energy use. T*SOL simulates the energy efficiency of solar thermal assisted heating systems and generates the energy label for direct output to a printer. This means, for example, that heating installers are now able to easily produce such a label for each individually assembled system.
Another useful addition in T*SOL 2016 is the possibility of optimizing output targets such as efficiency and solar fraction, now also with an automatic parameter variation. Almost all input parameters can be varied, such as the collector area, storage tank size and the volumetric flow rate in the collector loop. This makes it easier for system designers to dimension the components of a solar system in terms of cost-effectiveness, efficiency or the maximum yield. The newly integrated variant comparison enables the results of up to 6 simulations to be compared in a table with the most important site data, such as global radiation, energy requirements and system parameters. Thus, T*SOL 2016 an indispensable tool for the safe design of combined heating systems with solar support.
