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Step 4 System configuration

The capacity of the storage tank will determine the reliability of the water supply. As a rule of thumb, this capacity should be the double of the estimated daily water demand. The figure of page 1 presents the general system lay-out. The scheme is based on storage in a buffer tank. In fact storage of water at a certain level is a method to buffer solar energy in potential energy. The main advantage is that no batteries are needed. Moreover, there is always water pressure at the taps. (on the condition that the level of the taps are enough under the tank level). There are more methods applicable, as is shown in the figures below.

System Configuration 1

▲ Alternative system configuration. The pressure on the taps is provided by an additional pressure pump and pressure vessel. This system is only viable for relative small domestic water demands.

System Configuration 2

▲ Alternative system configuration. The pressure at the taps is provided by the pump directly. The energy is stored in batteries. A pressure vessel with pressure switch will control the switching off of the pump. This system is only viable for relatively small domestic water demands.