What is a flat-plate solar collector?

Flat-plate solar collectors (FPSCs) combine a simple structure with high reliability, and they well-suited to meet the increasing demands for integration into modern solar buildings [ 3 ]. The development of FPSCs, which are suitable for different temperature requirements and installation sites, has become an important new research direction.

Do flat-plate solar collectors improve thermal performance?

The thermal performance of flat-plate solar collectors (FPSCs) depends not only on environmental and operational parameters but also on its dimensions. In this study, the thermal performance improvement mechanism of FPSCs is studied focusing on the impact of collector size.

What is the period of a solar collector?

Therefore, the period, which starts when the heat collection exceeds 0, is defined as the available operating time of collector operation. Furthermore, the solar energy, which is irradiated on the collector surface, is the effective radiation energy within the effective operation time of the collector.

How does a solar heat collector work?

Due to the heat capacity and heat dissipation of the collectors, the solar energy irradiated on the surface of the collector cannot be converted into useful energy immediately. As a result, the heat collector system enters the effective operation stage only when the solar irradiation exceeds a certain value.

Which cable should be used for DC Solar power generation?

Cables that are specifically designed for DC solar power generation should always be used, and the cables must be assessed based on the cable voltage rating, the current carrying capacity of the cable, and the minimization of voltage drop due to the cabling.

Does volume flow rate affect solar-collector efficiency?

The results showed that, when the volume flow rate of the solar-collector fluid increased, the overall efficiency, the starting efficiency, and the angle-of-incidence modifier increased, while the heat-loss coefficient decreased.