a) The rate of useful heat gain can be calculated using the formula:

rate of useful heat gain = (solar irradiance * collector area * optical efficiency) - (heat loss coefficient
* collector area * (collector temperature - ambient temperature))

Here, solar irradiance = 950 W/m2

Collector area = 4 m2

Optical efficiency = 0.74

Heat loss coefficient = 8.22 W/m2/°C

Ambient temperature = 20°C

To calculate the collector temperature, we can assume that it is in steady-state condition, in which
the rate of heat gain equals the rate of heat loss. Therefore, we can write:

rate of useful heat gain = heat loss

(solar irradiance * collector area * optical efficiency) - (heat loss coefficient * collector area *
(collector temperature - ambient temperature)) = 0

950 * 4 * 0.74 - 8.22 * 4 * (collector temperature - 20) = 0

collector temperature - 20 = (950 * 4 * 0.74) / (8.22 * 4)

collector temperature - 20 = 84.06

collector temperature = 104.06°C

Substituting these values in the formula for rate of useful heat gain, we get:

rate of useful heat gain = (950 * 4 * 0.74) - (8.22 * 4 * (104.06 - 20))

rate of useful heat gain = 2626.88 W

Therefore, the rate of useful heat gain under these conditions is 2626.88 W.

b) The stagnation temperature of the collector is the temperature it would reach if there were no
heat loss. We can calculate it using the formula:

stagnation temperature = collector temperature + (solar irradiance / heat loss coefficient)

Substituting the values, we get:

stagnation temperature = 104.06 + (950 / 8.22)

stagnation temperature = 220.93 °C

Therefore, the stagnation temperature of the collector is 220.93 °C.

c) To calculate the temperature rise in the water tank, we can use the formula:

heat gained by water = rate of useful heat gain * time

mass of water * specific heat capacity of water * temperature rise = rate of useful heat gain * time

Assuming the density of water is 1000 kg/m3, we can calculate the mass of water as:

mass of water = volume of water * density

volume of water = 150 liters = 0.15 m3

mass of water = 0.15 * 1000 = 150 kg

Substituting the values, we get:

150 * 4200 * temperature rise = 2626.88 * 3600

temperature rise = (2626.88 * 3600) / (150 * 4200)

temperature rise = 11.5 °C