Thermal performance of 500 m2 salinity gradient solar pond in Granada, Spain under strong weather conditions

In this study, an experimental investigation of temperature performance and efficiency of an industrial solar pond during strong winter conditions is presented. Several temperature sensors connected to a data logger were used to measure the temperature gradient in a 500 m2 solar pond. During the winter 2015 there was a snowfall in the solar pond of Granada (Spain), reaching a minimum air ambient temperature of −2.4 °C. The temperature of the storage zone in Granada solar pond remained constant (around 40 °C) indicating the system responds positively to weather variations and confirming the fundamental role of the salinity gradient as a thermal insulation layer. The stored energy during January 2015 was 13.3 GJ, the weekly efficiency reached 10% and finally, the solar pond was able to provide 247.1 MJ to the flotation unit during the week of the snowfall.