DEVELOPMENT REPORT – How to Make a Solar Water Heater

DEVELOPMENT REPORT – How to Make a Solar Water Heater
By Gary Garriott

Broadcast: Monday, November 29, 2004

I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Development Report.

Solar water heaters save on energy costs. They also save on oil and other forms of energy needed for electric or gas-powered water heaters.

The Taiwan News reported this month that the Ministry¹ of Economic Affairs will increase its budget for a program to help pay for solar water heaters. The program was supposed to end this year. But officials have decided² to continue it through next year. A ministry official said Taiwan is among the top users³ of solar water heaters in the world.

Solar water heating⁴ is used worldwide. The device⁵ we are about to describe was developed in Afghanistan more than thirty years ago. Since then, it has been used in many countries. It can heat seventy liters⁶ of water to sixty degrees Celsius⁷. It can do this between sunrise and noon on a clear day with an average outside temperature of thirty-two degrees Celsius.

There are two parts to the solar water heater. One part is the solar collector. This is made of metal sheets painted black. The collector is placed in contact with the water.

There are several kinds of metal sheets that can be used for the collector. Metal sheets that have raised sections will work very well. These corrugated⁸ sheets often are used to make the roofs of houses.

Once the water is heated, it is kept hot with insulation⁹ material. This helps the water stay warm for a long time.

The second part of the solar water heater is the storage tank. The tank can be a container that holds about one hundred liters. Two rubber pipes are attached to the storage tank. One pipe lets water flow into the system. The other lets water flow out.

When the water heater is working correctly, water will flow from the storage tank to the collector and back again. You can use the hot water at the top of the tank for washing and cleaning. You can change the flow of water so that the temperature is hot or warm as desired.

This solar water heater is easy to build and operate. It will last about two years before the rubber pipes need to be replaced. However, it will heat water only on sunny days.

You can get more details from the group Volunteers in Technical Assistance¹⁰. VITA is on the Web at vita.org. And you can find more Development Reports at www.tingroom.com.

This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Gary Garriott. I'm Gwen Outen.

1 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

4 heating   

n.加热，供暖，暖气装置；adj.加热的，供暖的

参考例句：

• They will install a heating and lighting system in our house.他们将在我们家装上供热供电系统。
• If the pressure is too low,the heating system will act up.如果压力太低，供暖系统就会出毛病。

5 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

6 liters   

n.升( liter的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In the metric system, measurements are made in metres and liters. 在公制中，用米和升作计量单位。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This can holds five liters of water. 这个容器可装五升水。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

8 corrugated   

adj.波纹的；缩成皱纹的；波纹面的；波纹状的v.（使某物）起皱褶(corrugate的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• a corrugated iron roof 波纹铁屋顶
• His brow corrugated with the effort of thinking. 他皱着眉头用心地思考。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 insulation   

n.隔离；绝缘；隔热

参考例句：

• Please examine the insulation of the electric wires in my house.请检查一下我屋子里电线的绝缘情况。
• It is always difficult to assure good insulation between the electric leads.要保证两个电触头之间有良好的绝缘总是很困难的。

10 assistance   

n.援助，帮助

参考例句：

• She called and called but no one came to her assistance.她叫了又叫，但没有人来帮。
• He will get the great possible assistance.他将获得尽可能大的帮助。