1.5m Solarwize flat plate solar collector

Description

The flat-plate solar collectors are probably the most fundamental and most studied technology for solar-powered domestic hot water systems. The overall idea behind this technology is pretty simple. The Sun heats a dark flat surface, which collects as much energy as possible, and then the energy is transferred to water, air, or other fluid for further use.

These are the main components of a typical flat-plate solar collector:

• Black surface  – absorbent of the incident solar energy
• Glazing cover – a transparent layer that transmits radiation to the absorber, but prevents radiative and convective heat loss from the surface
• Tubes containing heating fluid to transfer the heat from the collector
• Support structure to protect the components and hold them in place
• Insulation covering sides and bottom of the collector to reduce heat losses