The thermal behavior of membrane-stratified solar ponds (MSSP) with vertical tubes and square cells has been investigated theoretically. Comparisons have been made with salt-gradient solar ponds (SGSP). It is found that the modified MSSP is more effective than the SGSP because the amount of insolation transmitted through the insulating zone of the modified MSSP may be much greater than for the SGSP. The time-temperature variation in the storage zone of the modified MSSP in Tainan for the initial period without heat extraction has been estimated correctly.
