Field performance and operation of a flat-glass solar heat collector

A “Base-Line,” flat-glass solar heat collector has been designed and constructed that can be manufactured economically for commercial use. Four of the collectors, 34 by 76 in. (approximately 18 ft²), were installed to provide hot water to a private home in Melbourne, Florida.The details of the collector are described, including coverplates, solar absorber, absorber coating, spacers, seals and glazing.A simple relationship has been established between the collector efficiency, the collector temperature and the rate of insolation for constant rates of flow of circulating fluids.The theoretical and field performance curves have been correlated for collector efficiency, collector temperatures, incident solar radiation and ambient air temperatures. The effect of fluid flow on collector temperatures for various collector parameters has also been presented.