Solar Fraction Calculator for Built-Up Systems Using SRCC Certified Solar Collector
California F-Chart is a user-friendly version of the F-chart program that has been designed to calculate the solar fraction for built-up solar water heating systems in California.
Required Information
To use the California F-Chart program, the following information is required. Obtain the information from the building plan set or from the solar system designer's specifications. This information must be entered into the California F-Chart software.
- Project Title: enter the name of the project.
- Project Address: Enter the address of the project.
- Climate zone number: Enter the California climate zone number corresponding to the geographical location of the building. Use the following link to determine the correct climate zone: California Climate Zone Maps.
- Choose Collector: Select the solar collector manufacturer's model from the dropdown window in the F-Chart linked below. Refer to the solar system design specifications for this information. To produce an SRCC data sheet for your documentation package, click on the following link to download: SRCC OG-100 Certification & Listing Directory
- Number of Collector Panels: Enter the number of panels specified for the system. Refer to the solar system design specifications for this information.
- Collector Fluid: Enter the type of heat transfer fluid used in the system. Refer to the solar system design specifications for this information.
- Main storage tank volume: Enter the main storage tank size in gallons. Refer to the solar system design specifications for this data.
- Second storage tank volume (if used): If a secondary storage tank is specified, enter the size in gallons. Refer to the solar system design specifications for this data.
- House or apartment conditioned floor area: This information can be found on the construction plan set.
- Collector angle from due south: Enter the compass direction in degrees from true south of the inclined absorber surface of the solar collector(s). Note that using due south as the reference for determining this angle input is unique to F-Chart. Don't confuse this reference with that used by the CECPV Calculator used for New Solar Homes Partnership, which measures collector azimuth from true north.
- Collector slope from horizontal: Angle in degrees that the absorber surface of the collector is inclined from horizontal.
- Number of identical houses or apartment units: Enter the number of apartment units if the solar water heating system serves a multifamily building. Enter 1 for a single family home.
Select a SRCC Certified Collector
California F-Chart has a drop-down menu listing all collectors currently certified by SRCC. When you select a collector from the drop-down menu, the program automatically uses the SRCC certified rating values for the Collector square footage, Collector Y-Intercept, and Collector Slope. All of the other information necessary for the calculation is accounted for automatically in the California F-Chart software.
Run California F-Chart
California F-Chart is a self-installing EXE file. It will install into the directory C:\CEC_F-Chart. Once installed, run the program. After the required information is entered, hit the calculate button. The program will generate a form, CF-Sr-100, that reports the solar fraction. Print the completed form for submittal with the SRCC data sheet and the CF-1R.
The Solar Fraction determined by California F-Chart is entered as an input to a Commission-approved building energy compliance computer program to determine the contribution of the solar water heating system towards compliance with the Standards or meeting the New Solar Homes Partnership energy efficiency requirement or qualifying for other incentive programs.
If there are any problems, repeat the installation process. If this does not work or you have questions about the program contact the Energy Hotline at (916) 654-5106, toll free at (800) 772-3300 or send an e-mail to rhudler@energy.state.ca.us. Please do not contact the webmaster for assistance.