The Cummington Fair, August 25, 2011 (before Hurricane Irene).
Mud Day celebration at Muddy Brook Elementary School on May 21, 2011.
Although it was cloudy, the five gallon tank of water increased from 59 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Enjoyment for all at the Mud Day celebration in Great Barrington, May 19, 2012. The mini collector heated five gallons of water from 60 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in less then four hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alpine Solar Heat and Hot Water has a small demonstration model solar collector. The portable equipment can be set up in a parking lot or field on a sunny day to heat water in the five gallon container. Combined with a display of pieces of the SFB304715 collector this is a good method to learn about solar thermal energy.
If you have a group of people interested in learning about solar hot water collection, a demonstration can be brought to your location. Addressing children at school, church, Scouts, fairs, etc. is encouraged. Please call or email to arrange a time. Mud is optional.
When the demonstration is set up, periodic temperature readings can be recorded. The chart below shows the results of a previous demonstration. Students can practice graphing with this chart, or with readings taken at your school.
Temperature Readings
The following chart shows the results of a display set up in Lanesboro, Massachusetts on August 16, 2009.
Time | Tank Temperature |
Collector Temperature |
1200 | 75°F | 90°F |
1230 | 82°F | 105°F |
1300 | 96°F | 114°F |
1330 | 104°F | 130°F |
1400 | 105°F | 124°F |
1430 | 113°F | 127°F |
1500 | 119°F | 121°F |
1530 | 116°F | 127°F |