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Solar Hot Water – Flat Plate Collectors
Solar collectors are one of the key components of an active solar hot water system. They are responsible for collecting the sun’s energy and transferring that energy to the heat transfer fluid in the solar collectors.
Flat-plate collectors are the most common collector type used in domestic water heating systems. A typical flat-plate collector is an insulated weatherproof metal box with a glass or plastic cover and a dark colored absorber plate. Mounted on the roof or ground, it consists of a thin, flat, rectangular box with a transparent cover that faces the sun. Small tubes run through the box and carry the fluid, such as water or antifreeze, to be heated. The tubes are attached to an absorber plate, which is painted black to absorb the heat. When the heat builds up in the collector, it heats the fluid passing through the tubes. Active systems rely on controllers and pumps to move the liquid between the collector and the storage tank.
Speak with a certified solar installer prior to making the decision to have a solar hot water system placed in your home. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the national certification organization for professional installers in the field of renewable energy. To locate a certified installer, visit NABCEP’s website at www.nabcep.org.
For more information, see: Introduction to Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems – CSU Extension
Updated Thursday, May 17, 2012