Thermal solar systems and components - Custom built systems - Part 2: Test methods for solar water heaters and combisystems

This Technical Specification applies to small and large custom built solar heating systems with liquid heat transfer medium for residential buildings and similar applications, and gives test methods for verification of the requirements specified in CEN/TS 12977-1. This document also includes a method for thermal performance characterization and system performance prediction of small custom built systems by means of component testing and system simulation. Furthermore, this document contains methods for thermal performance characterization and system performance prediction of large custom built systems.
This document applies to the following types of small custom built solar heating systems:
systems for domestic hot water preparation only;
systems for space heating only;
systems for domestic hot water preparation and space heating;
others (e.g. including cooling).
This document applies to large custom built solar heating systems, primarily to solar preheat systems, with one or more storage vessels, heat exchangers, piping and automatic controls and with collector array(s) with forced circulation of fluid in the collector loop. This document does not apply to:
systems with a store medium other than water (e.g. phase-change materials);
thermosiphon systems;
integral collector-storage (ICS) systems.

Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kundenspezifisch gefertigte Anlagen - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren

Diese Technische Spezifikation gilt für kleine und große kundenspezifisch gefertigte thermische Solaranlagen mit flüssigem Wärmeträgermedium, die für den Einsatz in Wohnbauten und ähnliche Anwendungsfälle vorge¬sehen sind, und gibt Prüfverfahren für die Verifizierung der Erfüllung der in CEN/TS TS 12977 1 festgelegten Anforderungen an.
Dieses Dokument enthält auch ein Verfahren für die Charakterisierung der Wärmeleistung und die Voraus-sage der zu erwartenden Anlagenleistung kleiner kundenspezifisch gefertigter Anlagen durch Bauteilprüfung und Anlagensimulation.
Darüber hinaus enthält dieses Dokument Verfahren für die Charakterisierung der Wärmeleistung und die Vor¬aussage der zu erwartenden Anlagenleistung großer kundenspezifisch gefertigter Anlagen.
Dieses Dokument gilt für die folgenden Typen kleiner kundenspezifisch gefertigter thermischer Solaranlagen:
-   ausschließlich für die häusliche Warmwasserbereitung verwendete Anlagen;
-   ausschließlich für die Raumheizung verwendete Anlagen;
-   für häusliche Warmwasserbereitung und Raumheizung verwendete Anlagen;
-   sonstige Anlagen (z. B. einschließlich Kühlung).
Dieses Dokument gilt für große kundenspezifisch gefertigte thermische Solaranlagen, hauptsächlich für solare Vorwärmanlagen mit einem oder mehreren Speichern, Wärmetauschern, Rohrleitungen und automatischen Reglern und einer oder mehreren Kollektorgruppen mit erzwungener Umwälzung des Fluids im Kollektorkreis¬lauf.
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für:
-   Anlagen, die ein anderes Speichermedium als Wasser verwenden (z. B. Material für Phasenumwand-lung);
-   Thermosiphon Anlagen;
integrierte Kollektor Speicher (ICS )Anlagen.

Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Installations personnalisées - Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai pour chauffe-eau solaires et installations mixtes

Le présent document (prCEN/TS 12977 2:2008) s’applique aux petites et grandes installations de chauffage solaire personnalisées, à liquide caloporteur, utilisées dans les bâtiments résidentiels et applications similaires, et il présente des méthodes d’essai permettant de vérifier les exigences spécifiées dans la prCEN/TS 12977 1.
Le présent document comprend également une méthode pour la caractérisation des performances thermiques et la prévision des performances des petites installations personnalisées à l’aide d’essais des composants et de simulation de l’installation.
Par ailleurs, le présent document contient des méthodes pour la caractérisation des performances thermiques et la prévision des performances des grandes installations personnalisées.
Le présent document s’applique aux types suivants de petites installations de chauffage solaire personnalisées :
-   installations pour la production d’eau chaude sanitaire exclusivement ;
-   installations pour le chauffage des locaux uniquement ;
-   installations pour la production d’eau chaude sanitaire et le chauffage des locaux ;
-   autres (par exemple, y compris le refroidissement).
Le présent document s’applique aux grandes installations de chauffage solaire personnalisées, principalement aux installations à préchauffage, munies d’une ou de plusieurs cuves de stockage, échangeurs de chaleur, canalisations et dispositifs de régulation automatique, et d’un ou de plusieurs champs de capteurs à circulation forcée de fluide dans la boucle de captage.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux :
-   installations ayant un autre milieu de stockage que l’eau (par exemple, matériaux à changement de phase) ;
-   installations à thermosiphon ;
installations à capteurs autostockeurs (ICS).

Toplotni sončni sistemi in sestavni deli - Neserijsko izdelani sistemi - 2. del: Preskusne metode za sončne grelnike vode in kombinirane sisteme

Ta tehnična specifikacija se uporablja za majhne in velike neserijsko izdelane solarne sisteme ogrevanja s tekočim medijem za prenos toplote v stanovanjskih zgradbah in za podobno uporabo, in podaja preskusne metode za preverjanje zahtev opredeljenih v CEN/TS 12977-1. Ta dokument tudi zajema metodo za označitev toplotne učinkovitosti in napoved delovanja sistema za majhne neserijsko izdelane sisteme s preskušanjem sestavnih delov in simulacijo sistema. Nadalje, ta dokument vsebuje metode za označitev toplotne učinkovitosti in napoved delovanja sistema za velike neserijsko izdelane sisteme.
Ta dokument se uporablja za naslednje vrste majhnih neserijsko izdelanih solarnih sistemov za ogrevanje:
- sistemi izključno za domačo pripravo vroče vode;
- sistemi izključno za ogrevanje prostora;
- sistemi za domačo pripravo vroče vode in ogrevanje prostora;
- drugi (npr. vključno s hlajenjem).
Ta dokument se uporablja za velike neserijsko izdelane solarne sisteme ogrevanja, predvsem za solarne sisteme predgrevanja, z eno ali več posodami za shranjevanje, toplotnimi izmenjevalniki, cevmi in avtomatskim krmiljenjem ter s skupino kolektorjev z vsiljenim kroženjem tekočine v kolektorski zanki. Ta dokument se ne nanaša na:
- sisteme z drugimi mediji shranjevanja kot voda (npr. materiali, ki spreminjajo agregatno stanje – PCM);
termosifonske sisteme;
- integralne sisteme kolektorjev in shranjevanja (ICS).

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Public Enquiry End Date
30-Jul-2008
Publication Date
01-Jul-2010
Withdrawal Date
18-Jun-2012
Technical Committee
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
26-Apr-2012
Due Date
19-May-2012
Completion Date
19-Jun-2012

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Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
01-september-2010
1DGRPHãþD
SIST ENV 12977-2:2002
7RSORWQLVRQþQLVLVWHPLLQVHVWDYQLGHOL1HVHULMVNRL]GHODQLVLVWHPLGHO
3UHVNXVQHPHWRGH]DVRQþQHJUHOQLNHYRGHLQNRPELQLUDQHVLVWHPH
Thermal solar systems and components - Custom built systems - Part 2: Test methods
for solar water heaters and combisystems
Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kundenspezifisch gefertigte Anlagen - Teil
2: Prüfverfahren
Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Installations personnalisées -
Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai pour chauffe-eau solaires et installations mixtes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
ICS:
27.160 6RQþQDHQHUJLMD Solar energy engineering
91.140.10 Sistemi centralnega Central heating systems
ogrevanja
91.140.65 Oprema za ogrevanje vode Water heating equipment
SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010


TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 12977-2

SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE

TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
April 2010
ICS 27.160 Supersedes ENV 12977-2:2001
English Version
Thermal solar systems and components - Custom built systems
- Part 2: Test methods for solar water heaters and
combisystems
Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile -
Installations personnalisées - Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai Kundenspezifisch gefertigte Anlagen - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren
pour chauffe-eau solaires et installations mixtes für Solaranlagen zur Trinkwassererwärmung und solare
Kombianlagen
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 9 September 2008 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.






EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2010 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 12977-2:2010: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .5
Introduction .6
1 Scope .9
2 Normative references .9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 10
5 System classification . 12
6 Test methods . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.1.1 Suitability for drinking water . 12
6.1.2 Water contamination . 12
6.1.3 Freeze resistance . 13
6.1.4 High-temperature protection . 13
6.1.5 Reverse circulation prevention . 13
6.1.6 Pressure resistance . 13
6.1.7 Electrical safety. 13
6.2 Materials . 13
6.3 Components and pipework . 13
6.3.1 Collector and collector array . 13
6.3.2 Supporting frame . 14
6.3.3 Collector and other loops . 14
6.3.4 Circulation pump . 14
6.3.5 Expansion vessels . 14
6.3.6 Heat exchangers . 14
6.3.7 Store . 15
6.3.8 Pipework . 15
6.3.9 Thermal insulation . 15
6.3.10 Control equipment . 15
6.4 Safety equipment and indicators . 15
6.4.1 Safety valves . 15
6.4.2 Safety lines and expansion lines . 16
6.4.3 Blow-off lines . 16
6.4.4 Store shut-off valve . 16
6.4.5 Indicators . 16
6.5 Installation . 16
6.5.1 Roof tightness . 16
6.5.2 Lightning . 16
6.5.3 Snow and wind loads . 17
6.6 Initial operation, inspection and commissioning . 17
6.7 Documentation . 17
6.8 System performance (for small systems only) . 17
6.9 Water wastage (for small systems only) . 17
7 Optional performance test of small custom built solar heating systems . 17
7.1 General . 17
7.2 Test of the solar collector . 18
7.3 Test of the water store(s) . 18
7.4 Test of the control equipment . 19
7.5 Determination of the hot water comfort . 19
2

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
7.6 System simulation model . 19
7.7 Long-term performance prediction . 19
7.7.1 General . 19
7.7.2 Calculation procedure . 19
7.7.3 Prediction of yearly system performance indicators . 20
7.7.4 Calculation of the net auxiliary energy demand and fractional energy savings for
solar-plus-supplementary systems . 20
7.7.5 Calculation of the solar fraction for solar-only and preheat systems . 23
7.7.6 Calculation of the parasitic energy (for all system types) . 25
7.8 Presentation of performance indicators . 25
8 Performance test report . 26
Annex A (normative) Reference conditions for performance prediction . 28
A.1 General . 28
A.2 Pipe diameter and insulation thickness . 30
A.3 Calculation of mains water temperature at reference location . 30
A.4 Space heating heat load . 31
A.4.1 General . 31
A.4.2 Stockholm . 31
A.4.3 Davos . 32
A.4.4 Würzburg . 33
A.4.5 Athens . 35
Annex B (normative) Additional information regarding the calculation of the fractional energy
savings . 37
B.1 Definition of a conventional reference water heating system . 37
B.2 Calculation of fractional energy savings for other conditions . 37
Annex C (informative) Short-term system testing . 39
C.1 General . 39
C.2 Instrumentation, data acquisition and processing . 39
C.2.1 General . 39
C.2.2 Accuracy and calibration of sensors . 41
C.2.3 Data acquisition and processing . 41
C.3 Check of short-term system performance . 41
C.3.1 Principle. 41
C.3.2 Measurement of the system energy gain . 42
C.3.3 Criteria for termination of the test . 43
C.3.4 Simulation of the system useful energy gain using components data . 43
C.3.5 Comparison of measured with simulated data . 43
C.3.6 Test report . 44
C.4 Short-term test for long-term system performance prediction . 44
C.4.1 General . 44
C.4.2 Principle. 45
C.4.3 Measurements . 45
C.4.4 Criteria for termination of the test . 46
C.4.5 Identification of collector array parameters . 47
C.4.6 Criteria for the acceptance of the test results . 47
C.4.7 Test report . 49
C.4.8 Prediction of the yearly system gain . 49
Annex D (informative) Long-term monitoring . 51
D.1 General . 51
D.2 Evaluation chart . 52
D.3 Monitoring equipment . 52
D.4 Data analysis . 52
Annex E (informative) Determination of water wastage . 53
Bibliography . 54

3

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
Figures
Figure 1 — Energy balance for one store and two stores solar plus supplementary systems. 21
Figure 2 — Comparison of the gross auxiliary energy demand of the solar heating system, Q , to the
aux
gross energy demand of the conventional heating system, Q . 22
conv
Figure 3 — Energy balance for solar only systems . 24
Figure 4 — Energy balance for solar preheat systems . 25
Figure C.1 — Principle of the short term system performance check: Check and intercomparison of
useful energy gain . 41
Figure C.2 — Principle of the short term test and of the subsequent long term system performance
prediction . 45
Figure C.3 — Example of the predicted performance dependence on load level and irradiation for a
solar domestic hot water heating system (see [8]) . 50

Tables
Table 1 — Division for factory made and custom built solar heating systems . 7
Table 2 — Presentation of system performance indicators for solar-plus-supplementary systems . 26
Table 3 — Presentation of system performance indicators for solar-only and solar preheat systems . 26
Table A.1 — Reference conditions for performance presentation . 28
Table A.2 — External pipe diameter and insulation thickness for forced-circulation systems . 30
Table A.3 — Data for calculation of the mains water temperature at the reference locations . 31
Table A.4 — Space heating load file for Stockholm . 32
Table A.5 — Space heating load file for Davos . 33
Table A.6 — Space heating load file for Würzburg . 34
Table A.7 — Space heating load file for Athens – Example to be updated . 36
Table C.1 — Variables to be measured and corresponding maximum sampling intervals . 43
Table C.2 — Variables to be measured during system test, and corresponding maximum sampling
intervals . 45
Table C.3 — Range of variations of the driving variables to be scanned during a test outdoors . 47
Table C.4 — Permissible standard deviation for secondary collector parameters . 48

4

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 12977-2:2010) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 312 “Thermal
solar systems and components”, the secretariat of which is held by ELOT.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes ENV 12977-2:2001.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
5

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
Introduction
a) Drinking water quality
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption caused by
the product covered by this document, it should be noted that:
1) this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction in
any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
2) while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing national regulations concerning
the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
b) Factory Made and Custom Built solar heating systems
EN 12976-1, EN 12976-2 and CEN/TS 12977-1 to -5 distinguish two categories of solar heating systems:
1) Factory Made solar heating systems; and
2) Custom Built solar heating systems.
The classification of a system as Factory Made or Custom Built is a choice of the final supplier, in
accordance to the following definitions:
3) Factory Made solar heating systems are batch products with one trade name, sold as complete and
ready to install kits, with fixed configurations. Systems of this category are considered as a single
product and assessed as a whole.
If a Factory Made Solar Heating System is modified by changing its configuration or by changing one
or more of its components, the modified system is considered as a new system. Requirements and
test methods for Factory Made solar heating systems are given in EN 12976-1 and EN 12976-2.
4) Custom Built solar heating systems are either uniquely built, or assembled by choosing from an
assortment of components. Systems of this category are regarded as a set of components. The
components are separately tested and test results are integrated to an assessment of the whole
system. Requirements for Custom Built solar heating systems are given in CEN/TS 12977-1, test
methods are specified in CEN/TS 12977-2 to -5. Custom Built solar heating systems are subdivided
into two categories:
i) Large Custom Built systems are uniquely designed for a specific situation. In general they are
designed by HVAC engineers, manufacturers or other experts;
ii) Small Custom Built systems offered by a company are described in a so-called assortment file,
in which all components and possible system configurations, marketed by the company, are
specified. Each possible combination of a system configuration with components from the
assortment is considered as one Custom Built system.
Table 1 shows the division for different system types.
6

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
Table 1 — Division for factory made and custom built solar heating systems
Factory Made solar heating systems Custom built solar heating systems
(EN 12976-1, -2) (CEN/TS 12977-1, -2, -4, -5 and EN 12977-3)
Integral collector-storage systems for domestic hot
Forced-circulation systems for hot water preparation
water preparation
and/or space heating/cooling, assembled using
components and configurations described in a
Thermosiphon systems for domestic hot water
documentation file (mostly small systems)
preparation
Uniquely designed and assembled systems for hot
Forced-circulation systems as batch product with
water preparation and/or space heating/cooling
fixed configuration for domestic hot water preparation
(mostly large systems)

NOTE 1 Forced circulation systems can be classified either as Factory Made or as Custom Built, depending on the
market approach chosen by the final supplier.
NOTE 2 Both Factory Made and Custom Built systems are performance tested under the same set of basic reference
conditions as specified in EN 12976-2:2006, Annex B and in CEN/TS 12977-2:2010, Annex A. In practice, the installation
conditions may differ from these reference conditions.
c) Test methods and procedures for the analysis of large custom built solar heating systems
Quality assurance is of primary importance for large custom built systems. The total investment cost for
such systems is higher than for smaller ones, although the specific investment cost (i.e., per m² collector
area) is lower. In several European countries, the potential of large custom built systems from the point of
view of conventional energy savings is much larger than for smaller ones. Moreover, the
return-on-investment is in many cases more favorable for large systems than for small ones. Hence, both
the purchasers of large custom built systems and the governments are interested in efficient, reliable and
durable systems, the thermal performance of which may be accurately predicted, checked and
supervised.
The test methods in this document provide a means of verifying the compliance of large custom built
systems with the requirements in CEN/TS 12977-1.
NOTE Within the framework of the EU ALTENER Programme the project "Guaranteed Solar Results" (GSR)
was addressing similar objectives in respect of quality assurance (see [7], [8]). Similar procedures and monitoring
equipment were used as described in Annexes C and D. It might be necessary to update Annexes C and D later on
in a revision of this document when more experience is available.
As large custom built systems are by definition unique systems, only general procedures on how to check
and supervise them may be given. An additional difficulty in the formulation of procedures is the fact that
they have to be adapted to the dimension of the large custom built system considered, which may vary
2 2
from typically 30 m to 30 000 m of collector area. Therefore, several possible levels of analysis are
included (Annexes C and D).
The objective of the two short-term system tests presented in Annex C is the characterization of system
performance and/or the estimation of the ability of the system to deliver the energy claimed by the
designer. In principle, two approaches for short-term system testing are referred to in this Technical
Specification:
1) A simplified check of short-term system performance, carried out by intercomparison of the
measured solar system heat gain with the one predicted by simulation, using the actual weather and
operating conditions as measured during the short-term test.
2) A short-term test for long-term system performance prediction. The performance of the most relevant
components of the solar heating system is measured for a certain time period while the system is in
normal operation. More detailed measurements encompass:
7

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SIST-TS CEN/TS 12977-2:2010
CEN/TS 12977-2:2010 (E)
i) energy gain of collector array(s); and
ii) energy balance over storage vessel(s).
Intercomparison of the observed and simulated energy quantities provides the indirect validation of
collector and storage design parameters. The measured data within the collector arr
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
kSIST-TS prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008
01-julij-2008
7RSORWQLVRQþQLVLVWHPLLQVHVWDYQLGHOL1HVHULMVNRL]GHODQLVLVWHPLGHO
3UHVNXVQHPHWRGH]DVRQþQHJUHOQLNHYRGHLQNRPELQLUDQHVLVWHPH
Thermal solar systems and components - Custom built systems - Part 2: Test methods
for solar water heaters and combisystems
Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kundenspezifisch gefertigte Anlagen - Teil
2: Prüfverfahren
Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Installations personnalisées -
Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai pour chauffe-eau solaires et installations mixtes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prCEN/TS 12977-2
ICS:
27.160 6RQþQDHQHUJLMD Solar energy engineering
kSIST-TS prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
FINAL DRAFT
prCEN/TS 12977-2
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
May 2008
ICS 27.160 Will supersede ENV 12977-2:2001
English Version
Thermal solar systems and components - Custom built systems
- Part 2: Test methods for solar water heaters and
combisystems
Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile -
Installations personnalisées - Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai Kundenspezifisch gefertigte Anlagen - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren
pour chauffe-eau solaires et installations mixtes
This draft Technical Specification is submitted to CEN members for Technical Committee Approval. It has been drawn up by the Technical
Committee CEN/TC 312.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
: This document is not a Technical Specification. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice
Warning
and shall not be referred to as a Technical Specification.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword.4
Introduction .4
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references.7
3 Terms and definitions .8
4 Symbols and abbreviations .9
5 System classification.10
6 Test methods.10
6.1 General.11
6.1.1 Suitability for drinking water .11
6.1.2 Water contamination.11
6.1.3 Freeze resistance.11
6.1.4 High-temperature protection.11
6.1.5 Reverse circulation prevention.11
6.1.6 Pressure resistance.11
6.1.7 Electrical safety.11
6.2 Materials.12
6.3 Components and pipework.12
6.3.1 Collector and collector array.12
6.3.2 Supporting frame.12
6.3.3 Collector and other loops .12
6.3.4 Circulation pump.12
6.3.5 Expansion vessels.12
6.3.6 Heat exchangers.12
6.3.7 Store.13
6.3.8 Pipework.13
6.3.9 Thermal insulation.13
6.3.10 Control equipment.13
6.4 Safety equipment and indicators .13
6.4.1 Safety valves.13
6.4.2 Safety lines and expansion lines .14
6.4.3 Blow-off lines.14
6.4.4 Store shut-off valve.14
6.4.5 Indicators.14
6.5 Installation.14
6.5.1 Roof tightness.14
6.5.2 Lightning.14
6.5.3 Snow and wind loads .15
6.6 Initial operation, inspection and commissioning.15
6.7 Documentation.15
6.8 System performance (for small systems only).15
6.9 Water wastage (for small systems only) .15
7 Optional performance test of small custom built solar heating systems.15
7.1 Test of the solar collector .16
7.2 Test of the water store(s) .16
7.3 Test of the control equipment .17
7.4 Determination of the hot water comfort .17
7.5 System simulation model .17
7.6 Long-term performance prediction.17
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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
7.6.1 Calculation procedure.17
7.6.2 Prediction of yearly system performance indicators .18
7.6.3 Calculation of the net auxiliary energy demand and fractional energy savings for
solar-plus-supplementary systems .18
7.6.4 Calculation of the solar fraction for solar-only and preheat systems .22
7.6.5 Calculation of the parasitic energy (for all system types) .24
7.7 Presentation of performance indicators .24
8 Performance test report.26
Annex A (normative) Reference conditions for performance prediction.27
A.1 General.27
A.2 Pipe diameter and insulation thickness.29
A.3 Calculation of mains water temperature at reference location.29
A.4 Space heating heat load .30
A.4.1 Stockholm.30
A.4.2 Davos.31
A.4.3 Würzburg.32
A.4.4 Athens.34
Annex B (normative) Additional information regarding the calculation of the fractional energy
savings .36
B.1 Definition of a conventional reference water heating system .36
B.2 Calculation of fractional energy savings for other conditions.36
Annex C (informative) Short-term system testing .38
C.1 General.38
C.2 Instrumentation, data acquisition and processing .38
C.2.1 General.38
C.2.2 Accuracy and calibration of sensors .40
C.2.3 Data acquisition and processing .40
C.3 Check of short-term system performance.40
C.3.1 Principle.40
C.3.2 Measurement of the system energy gain.41
C.3.3 Criteria for termination of the test .42
C.3.4 Simulation of the system useful energy gain using components data .42
C.3.5 Comparison of measured with simulated data .42
C.3.6 Test report.43
C.4 Short-term test for long-term system performance prediction .43
C.4.1 General.43
C.4.2 Principle.44
C.4.3 Measurements.44
C.4.4 Criteria for termination of the test .45
C.4.5 Identification of collector array parameters .46
C.4.6 Criteria for the acceptance of the test results.46
C.4.7 Test report.48
C.4.8 Prediction of the yearly system gain.48
Annex D (informative) Long-term monitoring .50
D.1 General.50
D.2 Evaluation chart.51
D.3 Monitoring equipment.51
D.4 Data analysis.51
Annex E (informative) Determination of water wastage.53
Bibliography.54

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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
Foreword
This document (prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 312 “Thermal
solar systems and components”, the secretariat of which is held by ELOT.
This document is currently submitted to the Technical Committee Approval.
This document will supersede ENV 12977-2:2001.
Introduction
a) Drinking water quality
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption caused by
the product covered by this document, it should be noted that
 this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction in
any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
 while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing national regulations concerning
the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
b) Factory Made and Custom Built solar heating systems
EN 12976-1, EN 12976-2 and prCEN/TS 12977-1 to -5, distinguish two categories of solar heating
systems:
 Factory Made solar heating systems and
 Custom Built solar heating systems.
The classification of a system as Factory Made or Custom Built is a choice of the final supplier, in
accordance to the following definitions:
1) Factory Made solar heating systems are batch products with one trade name, sold as complete
and ready to install kits, with fixed configurations. Systems of this category are considered as a
single product and assessed as a whole.
If a Factory Made Solar Heating System is modified by changing its configuration or by changing one
or more of its components, the modified system is considered as a new system for which a new test
report is necessary. Requirements and test methods for Factory Made solar heating systems are
given in EN 12976-1 and EN 12976-2.
2) Custom Built solar heating systems are either uniquely built, or assembled by choosing from an
assortment of components. Systems of this category are regarded as a set of components. The
components are separately tested and test results are integrated to an assessment of the whole
system. Requirements for Custom Built solar heating systems are given in prCEN/TS 12977-1, test
methods are specified in prCEN/TS 12977-2 to -5. Custom Built solar heating systems are
subdivided into two categories:
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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
 Large Custom Built systems are uniquely designed for a specific situation. In general they are
designed by HVAC engineers, manufacturers or other experts.
 Small Custom Built systems offered by a company are described in a so called assortment file,
in which all components and possible system configurations, marketed by the company, are
specified. Each possible combination of a system configuration with components from the
assortment is considered as one Custom Built system.
Table 1 shows the division for different system types.
Table 1 — Division for factory made and custom built solar heating systems
Factory Made solar heating systems Custom built solar heating systems
(EN 12976-1, -2) (prCEN/TS 12977-1, -2, -4, -5 and prEN 12977-3)
Integral collector-storage systems for domestic hot
Forced-circulation systems for hot water preparation
water preparation
and/or space heating/cooling, assembled using
components and configurations described in a
Thermosiphon systems for domestic hot water
documentation file (mostly small systems)
preparation
Uniquely designed and assembled systems for hot
Forced-circulation systems as batch product with
water preparation and/or space heating/cooling
fixed configuration for domestic hot water preparation
(mostly large systems)

NOTE 1 Forced circulation systems can be classified either as Factory Made or as Custom Built, depending on the
market approach chosen by the final supplier.
NOTE 2 Both Factory Made and Custom Built systems are performance tested under the same set of basic reference
conditions as specified in EN 12976-2:2006, Annex B and in prCEN/TS 12977-2, Annex A. In practice, the installation
conditions may differ from these reference conditions.
c) Test methods and procedures for the analysis of large custom built solar heating systems
Quality assurance is of primary importance for large custom built systems. The total investment cost for
such systems is higher than for smaller ones, although the specific investment cost (i.e., per m² collector
area) is lower. In several european countries, the potential of large custom built systems from the point of
view of conventional energy savings is much larger than for smaller ones. Moreover, the
return-on-investment is in many cases more favorable for large systems than for small ones. Hence, both
the purchasers of large custom built systems and the governments are interested in efficient, reliable and
durable systems, the thermal performance of which may be accurately predicted, checked and
supervised.
The test methods in this document provide a means of verifying the compliance of large custom built
systems with the requirements in prCEN/TS 12977-1.
NOTE Within the framework of the EU ALTENER Programme the project ”Guaranteed Solar Results” (GSR)
was addressing similar objectives in respect of quality assurance (see [7], [8]). Similar procedures and monitoring
equipment were used as described in Annexes C and D. It might be necessary to update the Annexes C and D later
on in a revision of this document when more experience is available.
As large custom built systems are by definition unique systems, only general procedures on how to check
and supervise them may be given. An additional difficulty in the formulation of procedures is the fact that
they have to be adapted to the dimension of the large custom built system considered, which may vary
2 2
from typically 30 m to 30 000 m of collector area. Therefore, several possible levels of analysis are
included (Annexes C and D).
The objective of the two short-term system tests presented in Annex C is the characterization of system
performance and/or the estimation of the ability of the system to deliver the energy claimed by the
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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
designer. In principle, two approaches for short-term system testing are referred to in this Technical
Specification:
1) A simplified check of short-term system performance, carried out by intercomparison of the
measured solar system heat gain with the one predicted by simulation, using the actual weather and
operating conditions as measured during the short-term test.
2) A short-term test for long-term system performance prediction. The performance of the most relevant
components of the solar heating system is measured for a certain time period while the system is in
normal operation. More detailed measurements encompass
 energy gain of collector array(s) and
 energy balance over storage vessel(s).
Intercomparison of the observed and simulated energy quantities provides the indirect validation of
collector and storage design parameters. The measured data within the collector array are also used
for direct identification of the collector array parameters. As far the component parameters are
verified, the long-term prediction of the system gain as well as the detection of possible sources of
system malfunctioning are possible.
Annex D describes a procedure for long-term monitoring as a part of the supervision of a large custom
built solar heating system. The objectives of supervision may be:
 the early recognition of possible failures of system components, in order to get the maximum benefit
from the initial solar investment as well as to minimize the consumption of non-solar energy and the
resulting environmental impact;
 the measurement of system performance (solar gains or other system indicators), if requested by a
contractual clause, e.g. guaranteed results.
The long-term monitoring in Annex D is limited to the solar energy specific aspects, especially to the
determination of the solar contribution to the total heat load. Instrumentation used in the long-term
monitoring should be an integrating part of the system, a part included from the very beginning of the
design process. If adequately foreseen, it may also be used for system adjustment at start time.
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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)

1 Scope
This document (prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008) applies to small and large custom built solar heating systems with
liquid heat transfer medium for residential buildings and similar applications, and gives test methods for
verification of the requirements specified in prCEN/TS 12977-1.
This document includes also a method for thermal performance characterization and system performance
prediction of small custom built systems by means of component testing and system simulation.
Furthermore, this document contains methods for thermal performance characterization and system
performance prediction of large custom built systems.
This document applies to the following types of small custom built solar heating systems:
 systems for domestic hot water preparation only;
 systems for space heating only;
 systems for domestic hot water preparation and space heating;
 others (e. g. including cooling).
This document applies to large custom built solar heating systems, primarily to solar preheat systems, with
one or more storage vessels, heat exchangers, piping and automatic controls and with collector array(s) with
forced circulation of fluid in the collector loop.
This document does not apply to:
 systems with a store medium other than water (e.g. phase-change materials);
 thermosiphon systems;
 integral collector-storage (ICS) systems.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 307, Heat exchangers — Guidelines to prepare installation, operating and maintenance instructions
required to maintain the performance of each type of heat exchanger
EN 806-1, Specifications for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption — Part 1:
General
EN 809, Pumps and pump units for liquids — Common safety requirements
EN 1151-1, Pumps — Rotodynamic pumps — Circulation pumps having a rated power input not exceeding
200 W for heating installations and domestic hot water installations — Part 1: Non-automatic circulation
pumps, requirements, testing, marking
EN 1991-1-3, Eurocode 1: Actions on structures — Part 1-3: General actions — Snow loads
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prCEN/TS 12977-2:2008 (E)
EN 1991-1-4, Eurocode 1: Actions on structures — Part 1-4: General actions — Wind actions
EN 12975-1:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Solar collectors — Part 1: General
Requirements
EN 12975-2:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Solar collectors — Part 2: Test methods
EN 12976-1:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Factory made systems — Part 1: General
requirements
EN 12976-2:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Factory made systems — Part 2: Test methods
prCEN/TS 12977-1:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Custom built systems — Part 1: General
requirements for solar water heaters and combisystems
prEN 12977-3:2008, Thermal solar systems and components — Custom built systems — Part 3: Performance
test methods for solar water heater stores
prCEN/TS 12977-4:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Custom built systems — Part 4:
Performance test methods for solar combistores
prCEN/TS 12977-5:2006, Thermal solar systems and components — Custom built systems — Part 5:
Performance test methods for control equipment
EN 60335-1, Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 1: General requirements
EN ISO 9488:1999, Solar energy — Vocabulary (ISO 9488:1999)
ISO 9459-5:2007, Solar heating — Domestic water heating systems — Part 5: System performance
characterization by means of whole system tests and computer simulation
ISO/TR 10217:1989, Solar energy — Water heating systems — Guide to material selection with regard to
internal corrosion
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12975-1:2006, EN 12976-1:2006,
prCEN/TS 12977-1:2006, prEN 12977-3:2008, prCEN/T
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