Modeling of Solar Heating Systems in Latvia

Introduction During the last few years significance of environmental problems increased. Activation of environmental problems increases humans’ interest about different environmentally friendly technologies. Exactly the Sun is large, inexhaustible source of energy, from which we use only small part. There are countries which are located in sunny regions and which history of solar energy usage is very longstanding, wherewith also technological achievements are high, but the contemporary rapid technology development enables to use ever more solar energy in the regions which are not so rich with the solar radiance, for example in Latvia. Materials and Methods The aim of the work is to explore suitability of Latvian environment to the usage of solar collectors system. For the attainment of objective monotype houses were modeled, the houses are equipped with the combined solar heat system, which placed in different regions. There is diverse amount of sunny days in different regions of Latvia, as well as diverse average temperature, wherewith the amount of heat differs. The PolySun 3.3. model for the modeling of building solar heating system were used. The model is available for several solar heat systems as well as for the calculation of combined solar heat supply system and for the solving of several relevant tasks. After data inputting, program can model locality individualities of solar heat supply system and can consider them while simulating activity of modeled system. After analysis of achieved results it is possible to clarify suitability of specific solar heating systems to specific places. Results The activity of the system depends on the weather conditions of particular place, which have an impact of the geographical fix, available volume of solar heat. In addition, the great importance has the users of combined solar heat supply system, their way of life. Comparison of solar heat systems located in different places using simulation models is conventional. Conclusions The systems used in simulation model are relatively simple and give understanding of the overall workings of the system and shows possible benefits from the formation of such system. Latvia has great potential in the use of solar energy. Perceived volume of solar heat is considerable in the comparison with the other places where solar energy for heating used extensively