Experimental Analysis of Vacuum Solar Collectors as an Auxiliary Heating Source for Residential Buildings

Rafał Urbaniak (), Bartosz Ciupek () and Paweł Grobelny
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Rafał Urbaniak: Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Kalisz, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
Bartosz Ciupek: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Institute of Thermal Energy, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Paweł Grobelny: GFLean, 63-400 Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-24

Abstract: This study presents an experimental analysis of two vacuum solar air collectors designed for residential heating applications. The research was conducted from November 2022 to April 2024 in real operating conditions. This study focused on assessing the thermal performance, energy efficiency, and feasibility of integrating these systems into hybrid heating solutions. The first collector (Solar Dragon 2022) utilized five vacuum tubes and achieved a total thermal energy output of 397.67 kWh over five months, with a peak thermal power of 0.55 kW. The second system (Solar Dragon 2023), equipped with 24 vacuum tubes, demonstrated a significantly higher performance, generating 911.69 kWh over the same period, with a peak thermal power of 1.8 kW. The study also identified challenges related to airflow distribution and excessive outlet air temperatures, reaching up to 84 °C in the modified system, which could negatively impact indoor comfort. The findings highlight the potential of vacuum solar collectors as an auxiliary heating source, particularly in transitional seasons, while emphasizing the need for optimized airflow control and thermal regulation strategies to enhance their practical application.

Keywords: solar air collector; individual heating; thermal power; thermal analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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