Influence of hot water consumption patterns on the viability of low-temperature solar thermal systems in the food industry

The thermal demand in agri-food industries is characterised by its considerable variability, hindering the implementation of Solar Water Heating Systems (SWHS). The main objective of the study is to provide an overview of how consumption patterns influence the profitability and energy savings of SWHS in the sector, while also identifying additional key variables that affect their viability. For this purpose, approximately 1,300,000 cases have been examined, considering a wide range of consumption patterns, economic variables, and locations. Demand seasonality, weekly frequency and energy prices exhibit the greatest impact on the feasibility of SWHS. Uniformity of daily demand, location and investment cost are also determinants. Thus, single-day-per-week consumption patterns make SWHS unviable in most scenarios. However, with only three non-consecutive days, feasibility increases significantly, achieving paybacks of less than 5 years and energy savings of over 40 % when conditions are highly favorable. In strongly seasonal industries, the viability of SWHS is seriously compromised. The payback in patterns with a peak consumption in the early morning can double the value with uniform one (e.g., from 4 to 8 years in the most favorable scenarios at a price of 0.1 €/kWh). The results tables reflecting payback and energy savings in thousands of different scenarios represent a valuable tool for decision-making in industries. By looking for the scenario with the most similar characteristics, it is possible to estimate the profitability and savings of the SWHS in a given industry, as well as the possible variations when changing the assumed variables. •Tables of results represent a valuable tool for decision-making in food industries.•Profitability strongly conditioned by seasonality and schedule of demand.•The payback can double in irregular patterns compared to a uniform one.•With only three non-consecutive days, attractive savings and profitability can be achieved.•From 6 months of demand onwards, SWHS become attractive in many scenarios.