Thermal Solar Collector

Thermal solar collectors are devices used to harness the energy from the sun to heat water or air for space and water heating purposes. They are part of the supply class Space And Water Heating Equipment in the supply group Plumbing, Heating, And Waste Disposal Equipment.

Thermal solar collectors typically consist of a flat plate or evacuated tube design. The flat plate collectors are made up of a dark-colored absorber plate, covered with a transparent glass or plastic cover. The absorber plate absorbs the solar radiation and converts it into heat, which is then transferred to a fluid (usually water or a heat transfer fluid) flowing through tubes or channels within the collector.

Evacuated tube collectors, on the other hand, consist of a series of parallel glass tubes, each containing an absorber plate. The tubes are evacuated to minimize heat loss and are often coated with a selective coating to enhance the absorption of solar radiation.

Both types of thermal solar collectors work by capturing the sun's energy and transferring it to a fluid, which can then be used for space heating or domestic hot water production. The heated fluid is typically circulated through a heat exchanger, where the heat is transferred to the building's heating system or stored in a thermal storage tank for later use.

Thermal solar collectors are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels for heating purposes. They can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, providing a sustainable and renewable source of energy for space and water heating.