The idea came from a solar collector system of a size 136 m² , which had been put into operation beforehand, and which supplies the local social care center with hot water. The positive experience of the capacity had encouraged the municipality to reconstruct the kitchen (preparing 3500 portions) of the Child and Student-catering Institute to ensure hot water, just like the sport center of Eötvös József Primary School in the neighborhood. A proposal had been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water, under the program “Green resource” in 2003, as well as to the Ministry of Economy and Transport under the National Energy-saving Program (so called NEP) to obtain funding. Following the positive evaluation, a two-round public procurement procedure could be started. As a result, Kazép-Lángtechnika Ltd. and Kardos Labor Ltd. were contracted. The project was completed on 17 December 2004.

TECHNOLOGY

The solar energy system includes 22 pieces of Apricus vacuum tube solar collectors, two storage tanks, one of 1000 litres and the other of 3000 litres, also a 270-litre drain-back tank, the necessary pipes, and a measuring and safety equipment. Each vacuum tube solar collector has 2,4 m² absorber, with a total surface of 4,35 m² , storing 710 ml liquid . The solar collectors are integrated on the roof at an angle of 50°. The storage tanks and the drain-back tank are placed underneath the collectors in an insulated boiler room. Thanks to this and the drain-back system there is no danger for freezing, even though the collector circle has no anti-freeze liquid in it, only scaled water serves as the heating liquid. In summer the demand of the kitchen for hot water is less, thanks to the 50° integration angle, the heat production decreases mid-summer, but increases in spring and in autumn. The maximum utilization is only possible by the linked usage. During school terms, in the morning hours the produced hot water is used by the Child and Student-catering Institute serving 3500 people, later in the afternoon, or during weekends the sport center has the best of the well-thought system.

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ECONOMIC ASPECTS

The solar collector project was funded with 30% by the Ministry of Economy and Transport (National Energy-saving Program), also with 30% the Ministry of Environment and Water „Green resource” program, whilst the remainder 40% was financed from own resources. The investment amounted to nearly 18 million HUF in total. This amount also included the replacement of the old storage tanks heated by the boilers. According to the figures calculated at the time of the designing of the system, 75% (equals 140 400 MJ/year) of the total heat energy needed for the production of hot water could be replaced by solar energy.

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SOCIAL EFFECTS

The solar collectors can be seen well on the roof of the Child and Student-catering Institute. The sport center next to that belongs to the Eötvös József Primary School, so the students can directly experience the useful aspects of the renewable energy resources. Furthermore, the investment has contributed to the environment-consciousness of the habitants, while they can directly see a well-prepared and operating solar collector system. There hasn’t been an official inauguration, though the local newspaper published an article, and a street sign draws the attention to the project. The general assembly meetings are open to the public, so anyone can get information on the completion. The municipality plans further solar collector investments based on their positive experience, they only lack financial subsidies.

ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS

According to calculations thanks to the project 5000 m³ natural gas is used annually so every year the emission is decreased with 1,2 kg CO, 6 kg NO and 12,5 t CO2.

DIFFICULTIES, PROBLEMS

This innovation was not under the obligation for permission, so the two-round public procurement process took place without any difficulties. Difficulties only arose during the installment because the walls had to be torn, but the solutions were always kept to the fore so the outcome was successful.

FOLLOW UP

The municipality’s intention is to enlarge this system with six more fields, as the excellent opportunity for usage reasons that. Unfortunately, there is no funding available for such a small project, and at present the municipality can not afford it from its own sources. Because of the positive effect of the solar collector system, there are further plans to install solar collectors on establishments where warm water is used even in summer time (e.g. kindergarten, nursery school, pensioners’ club).

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Mr. Zoltán Bartók, Municipality of Orosháza
Department of Urban Development and Administration
5900 Orosháza, Szabadság sq. 4–6.
Tel.: +36-68-413-022
E-mail: E-mail

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