A compact shallow solar pond hot water heater

The concept of the shallow or convecting solar pond has been discussed in the literature in great detail but with regard to large scale installations only. It is also possible to consider the use of portable, compact SSPs in reacreation (i.e. camping) and military sites. We have constructed and tested such a prototype unit. It consisted of a clear PVC pond placed within an insulated wooden container equipped with a hinged cover. The upper glazing was a 0.1 mm tedlar film. The container cover served a dual purpose. During the day it performed as a solar reflector by means of an aluminized mylar film affixed to the inner site, and it was thermally insulated so as to enable the overnight storage of the heated water.