Efficiency of solar collectors

✍ Scribed by J. Ahmadzadeh; M. Gascoigne

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1976
• Weight: 624 KB
• Volume: 16
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0013-7480
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-7480(76)90012-7

✦ Synopsis

Flat plate and concentrating-type solar collector efficiencies are determined at different temperatures using plain black and selective absorbing surfaces with plain glass and specially coated reflecting glass windows and at different air masses. The effect of evacuation of the air space between the absorbing surface and the glass window is also considered.

The design of a solar collector should be made bearing in mind the average air mass at the collector location as well as the operating temperature range. Air mass has a significant effect on the choice of absorbing surface. A plain black surface is more efficient than a selective absorbing surface over a fairly large temperature range. Evacuation leads to a significant increase in flat plate collector efficiency.

Solar energy Air mass Flat plate collector

Concentrating collector reflecting glass Selective absorber