Flat Plate Collector - How To Build Flat Plate Solar Collector

July 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Flat Plate Collector - In general, there are two types of solar collector: The flat plate and the evacuated tube. While a greater amount of sun falls on the flat plate, the evacuated tube collectors are better insulated. However, as the sun moves in an arc through the sky, the flat plate collector’s effective area becomes smaller, and as the evacuated tube collectors are cylindrical, the area presented toward the sun is the same.

The key thing to remember about solar collectors is keeping the heat in and the cold out. This can be accomplished by using glazing on the sun-facing side of the panels and thermal insulation on the side that faces away from the sun. We need to try to eliminate thermal bridges as far as we possibly can.

Aluminum clip fins are one of the easiest ways of assembling a solar collector quickly, as they essentially clip onto a matrix of copper pipe.

Another way of constructing a solar collector is to use an old radiator painted black inside an insulated box. This system contains more water, and as a result has a slower response time. This is because it takes more time to heat up the thermal mass of the radiator.

One of the problems that solar collectors suffer from is freezing in the winter. When temperatures drop too low, the water in the pipes of the collectors expands – this runs the risk of severely damaging the collectors.

If you are interested to learn how to make solar power systems, check out our website at:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com

To get your complete solar installation guide, proceed here:
http://www.earthenergyguide.com

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Andy O Silliven is an engineer and author in the fields of electrical engineering. He enjoys writing about the topic and keeping up with current events and research in the area of renewable energy sources.
http://www.greenearth4energy.com