Experimental analysis of solar thermal storage in a water tank with open side inlets

► We study the amount of energy available in a water storage tank with open side inlets. ► We experimentally investigate thermal mixing caused by the inflow. ► We propose a modelling that predicts the amount and temperature of water in the tank. ► We simulate the temperature evolution of the tank included in a solar installation. ► The difference between predicted and measured outflow temperatures is less than 3 °C.