Diurnal efficiency at mid latitudes of solar collectors with various thermal capacitances

Barrie W. Jones and Tadj Oreszczyn

Applied Energy, 1986, vol. 22, issue 2, 107-117

Abstract: A verified, multi-node computer model of a flat-plate, rear-duct, air-heating solar collector is described. Results are presented of the daily averaged thermal efficiencies for a variety of simulated ambient conditions pertinent to mid maritime latitudes, for a range of collectors that differ in their thermal capacitances. The smooth, diurnal cycle of insolation produces a significant spread of thermal efficiencies among the collectors, indicating that simple, approximate models of flat-plate collectors might lead to significant errors in predicting performance in real conditions. Rapid fluctuations in insolation, superimposed on the diurnal cycle, lead to only a slightly greater spread of thermal efficiencies. The effect of thermal capacitance on air outlet temperatures is slight.

Date: 1986
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