Solar collector energy storage area conversion

What is a solar collector?

An overview of existing and future solar power stations. A solar collector, the special energy exchanger, converts solar irradiation energy either to the thermal energy of the working fluid in solar thermal applications, or to the electric energy directly in PV (Photovoltaic) applications.

What are solar collectors and thermal energy storage systems?

In these applications, solar collectors and thermal energy storage systems are the two core components. This paper focuses on the latest developments and advances in solar thermal applications, providing a review of solar collectors and thermal energy storage systems.

How does a solar collector produce heat energy?

Only a part of solar radiation striking the solar collector is converted into heat energy. The value and the intensity of solar insolation over a year, strongly depend on the latitude and weather conditions of the place. The heat energy produced by a solar collector depends on the type and design of the collector.

How much energy does a flat plate solar collector produce?

The amount of this energy depends on the type of the solar collector and meteorological conditions of the place, where the collector is working. The average amount of heat energy produced by a flat plate solar collector during a day has been calculated by formula K – parameter, ̊C.

What is the maximum power of solar insolation on a collector?

The maximal power of solar insolation on the collector Pmax = Cs (cosδ*cosφ*cosω + sinδ*sinφ), where Cs – solar constant (Cs = 1355 W m-2.); φ – latitude angle of the place (for Latvia φ = 57 ̊); ω – angle of solar hours (in the middle of a day ω = 0); δ – declination angle of the sun, degree. n – number of the year day counted from January 1. 2.

Why is solar energy collected and stored efficiently?

It is evident that, despite the attenuation, the total amount of solar energy available on the Earth is still of an enormous amount, but because it is of low-density and intermittency, it needs to be collected and stored efficiently. Solar collectors and thermal energy storage components are the two kernel subsystems in solar thermal applications.