The performance results of Trombe-Wall passive systems under Aegean Sea climatic conditions

Abstract Since 1977, at the “Solar Energy Thermal Applications Laboratory of M.T.A.” in Marmaris, Turkey, an experimental study of a “Trombe Thermal Storage Wall” passive system continues in operation; two analogous houses have been built, one of which is serving as a reference system. The incident solar radiation on a vertical surface, the temperature changes of the internal and external surfaces of the wall, at interval of thirty minutes, and the convective flow through the “Trombe-Wall” have been measured in order to determine the solar fractions transmitted by the processes of radiation, convection and thermocirculation. In the present study, the variation of the “Trombe-Wall” efficiency has been calculated during the period of a year using a computer evaluation model in which the half hour measurement data have been introduced. The experimental results show that, according to the months, 15–35 per cent of the incident solar radiation over the south facade is transmitted to the interior through the “Trombe-Wall”, while the reference house transmits from the south facade 8–19 per cent of solar radiation received. Finally, it can now be confirmed that the results of the “Trombe-Wall” system without any special type insulation, contributes to practically the total heating load of the village houses under the sunny Aegean Sea Climatic conditions.