太阳能家用热水（SDHW）供暖系统的家庭和企业用户能够降低与家用热水使用相关的能源成本和温室气体排放。然而，太阳能热技术的应用水平，如改造和新安装，受到用于储存收集的能量的结构的空间和重量的限制。相变材料（PCMs）由于其高储能密度和主要等温操作，有利于SDHW系统的日常储能。本文总结了使用相变储能材料开发储能系统的初始步骤，重点介绍了用于概念验证和设计优化的材料选择和实验研究。 根据通过研究新斯科舍省哈利法克斯现有太阳能热水系统的太阳能数据确定的熔化温度范围，选择月桂酸作为PCM。概念验证实验使用翅片管来携带热流体；由于PCMs的导热系数较低，因此使用了这些延伸表面。一个经过验证和优化的设计将在2011年初建成并安装，用于哈利法克斯一栋公寓楼现有大型太阳能热系统的试点研究。将对整个系统进行仪表化，以获取连续数据（温度、流速、压力等），以充分描述系统的特征，并改进首次测试的原型。 引用:ASHRAE会议论文，蒙特利尔，QC

Home and business users of solar domestic hot water (SDHW) heating systems are able to reduce the energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with domestic hot water use. However, the level of deployment of solar thermal technologies, as retrofits and new installations, is limited by the space and weight imposed on the structures for storing the collected energy. Phase change materials (PCMs) are advantageous for daily energy storage with SDHW systems due to their high energy storage density, and mainly isothermal operation. This paper summarizes the initial steps in the development of an energy storage system using PCMs, with emphasis on the material selection and experimental studies used for proof of concept and design optimization.Lauric acid was selected as the PCM based on the melting temperature range that was targeted by studying solar data from an existing solar hot water system in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The proof of concept experiment was done using a finned tube to carry the thermal fluid; these extended surfaces were used due to the low thermal conductivity of PCMs. A validated and optimized design will be built and installed by early 2011 for a pilot study in an existing large scale solar thermal system on an apartment building in Halifax. The entire system will be instrumented in order to acquire continuous data (temperatures, flow rates, pressure, etc.) to fully characterize the system and improve on this first tested prototype.