SOLAR COLLECTOR

摘要

A solar collector is made primarily of plastic materials. A wide variety of collector configurations may be made from similar parts, and thus the collector may be adapted to mount in locations where traditional flat panel collectors may not be feasible. The collector may conveniently be used with a nanofluid as the heat transfer fluid, to increase the heat transfer characteristics of the heat transfer fluid. A control system for stagnation remediation, freeze protection, or both may be utilized. For example, when the collector is in danger for stagnation or freezing, water may be circulated through a ground coupled heat exchange loop to cool or heat the collector. Preferably, the stagnation remediation mode does not sacrifice thermal energy previously collected and stored.

主权项

1. A solar energy collector, comprising:
an elongate plastic receiving tube having an open first end and an open second end, the receiving tube configured to accept a heat transfer fluid into the first end and to carry the heat transfer fluid to and out of the second end; an elongate clear plastic tubular sheath surrounding the receiving tube, the sheath being of a larger cross section than the receiving tube such that a generally annular air space is formed between the receiving tube and the sheath, the sheath having a front side configured to be disposed toward the sun and a back side opposite the front side; and a reflective coating partially covering a portion of the inside surface of the tubular sheath at the back side of the tubular sheath and configured such that when sunlight is directed at the front side of the sheath, a first portion of the sunlight transmitted through the sheath strikes the receiving tube directly, and a second portion of the sunlight transmitted through the sheath strikes the reflective coating and is redirected to the receiving tube.