Utilization of solar thermal energy in mountain refuges through an innovative system

Abstract An innovative heat transport system has been associated to solar thermal collectors, and, due to its specific features, used in those situations like the mountain refuges, where the conventional systems with differential thermostat and circulation pump, or the thermosiphon units cannot be conveniently installed. Solar heat has been used for hot sanitary water production, for heating a sewage treatment plant, and for water production by snow melting, also at the refuge observatory “Regina Margherita” in the Italian Alps, at an altitude of 4550 m. above sea level, the highest refuge in Europe.