Solar Collectors

•Solar power has low density per unit area (1 kW/sq.m. to 0.1
kW/sq.m.)
•Hence it is collected by covering a large ground area by solar
thermal collectors.
•A solar thermal collector essentially forms the first unit in a solar
thermal system.
•It absorbs solar energy as heat and then transfers it to the heat
transport fluid efficiently.
•The heat transport fluid delivers this heat to a thermal storage
tank/boiler/heat exchanger to be utilized in the subsequent
stages of utilization.
Types of Solar Collector – Based on the
way they collect solar radiation
1. Non-concentrating type (Flat plate collector) – absorbs the
radiation as it is received on the surface
(a) Liquid flat plate
(b) Flat plate air heating collector
2. Concentrating type – first increases the concentration of
radiation per unit area before absorbing it.
(a) Focus type
i. Line Focus
ii. Point Focus
(b) Non-focus type
i. Modified flat-plate collector
Ii. Compound Parabolic Concentrating type
Line Focus (one axis tracking):
•Cylindrical Parabolic Concentrator
•Fixed Mirror Solar Concentrator
•Linear Fresenel Lens Concentrator

Point Focus (two axis tracking):

•Parabolic Dish Collector
•Hemispherical bowl mirror conc.
•Circular Fresenel Lens conc.
•Central Tower Receiver
 Concentrated
Make us of beam radiation and little diffused
radiation
Solar radiation is converged from a large area
into a smaller area using optical means.
Beam radiation which has a unique direction
and travels in a straight line can be converged
by reflection or refraction techniques.
Diffused radiation however has no unique
radiation and so does not obey optical
principles.
Therefore diffused component cannot be
concentrated
High temperatures can be attained due to
concentration of radiation and also yields
high-temp. thermal energy.
Non-Concentrated
Absorbs both beam as well as diffused
radiation
Simple in construction and does not require
sun tracking
Therefore it can be properly secured on a
rigid platform, and thus becomes
mechanically stronger than those requiring
flexibility for tracking purpose.
As the collector is installed outdoors and
exposed to atmospheric disturbances (rain,
storm, etc.), the flat plate type is more likely
to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Because of its simple stationary design, it
requires little maintenance.
Demerit: Because of the absence of optical
concentration, the area from which heat is
lost is large.
Due to the same reason, high temperatures
cannot be attained.
 Performance Indices
Collector Efficiency: Ratio of energy actually absorbed and
transferred to the heat transpor fluid by the collector (useful
energy) to the energy incident on the collector.
Concentration Ratio (CR): The ratio of the area of aperture of the
system to the area of the receiver. The aperture of the system is
the projected area of the collector facing (normal) the beam.
Flat plate Coll.: CR=1; Line Focus: CR is upto 100; Point Focus: Order
of thousands
Temperature Range: The range of temperature to which the heat
transport fluid is heated up by the collector.
Flat plate Coll.: Less than 100oC; Line Focus: 150 to 300; Point
Focus: 500 to 100.
 Liquid Flat Plate Collector

Placed at a location at a
position such that its length
aligns with line of longitude
and suitably tilted towards
south to have maximum
collection.
Figure Positioning of flat plate collector
 Basic Elements of Flat Plate
Collectors

•Transparent cover (one or two sheets) of glass or plastic.

•Blackened absorber plate usually of copper, aluminium or steel.

•Tubes, channels or passages, in thermal contact with the

absorber plate.

•Weather tight, insulated container to enclose the above

components
Construction
Water is used as heat transport medium from collector to next stage of
the system.
Mixture of water and ethylene glycol (antifreeze mixture) are also used
if the ambient temperatures are likely to drop below 0°C during nights.
Solar radiation strikes on specially treated metallic absorber plate, it is
absorbed and raises its temperature. The absorber plate is usually made
from a metal sheet ranging in thickness from 0.2 to 1 mm.
The heat is transferred to heat transfer liquid circulating in the tube
beneath the absorber plate and in intimate contact with it. The metallic
tubes range in diameter from 1 to 1.5 cm.
These are soldered, brazed, welded or pressure bonded to the absorber
plate with a pitch ranging from 5 to 12 cm.
Header pipes which are of slightly larger diameter, typically 2 to 2.5 cm,
lead the water in and out of the collector and distributed to tubes.
Copper is used for absorber plate, the tubes and the header pipes.
In the bottom and along the sidewalls, thermal insulation, provided by
2.5 to 8-cm thick layer of glass wool, prevents heat loss from the rear
surface and sides of the collector.
The glass-cover permits the entry of solar radiation as it is transparent
for incoming short wavelengths but is largely opaque to the longer
infrared radiation reflected from the absorber.
The glass cover may reflect some 15 per cent of incoming solar
radiation, which can be reduced by applying anti reflective coating on
the outer surface of the glass.
Variety of Absorber Plate
Effects of Various Parameters
on Performance
Selective Surface: Characteristics of high value of absorptivity and low
value of emissivity.
Number of Covers: With increase in the number of covers, the flux
absorbed by absorber plate decreases.
Spacing: Heat loss varies with spacing between two covers.
Collector Tilt: Flat plate collectors are normally used in fixed position
Dust on the Top of the Cover: Dust gets accumulated over it, reducing
transmitted flux
Material Selection for Various
Parts of Flat Plate Collector
Absorber Plate: should have high thermal conductivity, adequate tensile
and compressive strength and good corrosion resistance.
Insulation: low thermal conductivity, stability up to high usable
temperature (up to 200°C),no out gassing up to 200°C, self-supporting
feature without tendency to settle, ease of application and no
contribution in corrosion.
Cont..
Cover Plate:
◦ Transmit maximum solar energy to the absorber plate
◦ Minimize upward heat loss
◦ Shield the absorber from direct exposer to weathering
◦ Lightweight and easy to work
◦ Durability, strength, non-degradability