Solar Water Heaters Installed at Orphan Homes

Winters can be extremely cold in Islamabad with temperatures dropping to single digits between sunset and dusk. Performing ablutions for prayers and taking showers can be difficult and can also be of health hazard for small children, especially without hot water. So this winter we installed two 315 liters (70 gallons) solar powered water heaters at our orphan homes in Naval Anchorage, Islamabad. The solar water heaters are programmed to provide 630 liters (140 gallons) of hot water of approximately 90 degree Celsius temperature three times a day (total of 1890 liters). This works out to approximately 26.25 liter (5.8 gallons) per person per day.

We know that this is not sufficient hot water as the average hot water consumption is approximately 50 litters (11 gallons) per person per day. But this is a pilot project and we plan to expand and add additional water heaters in the future.