CLADDING PANELS FOR THE OPTIMISED TRANSMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC, INCLUDING SOLAR, RADIATION

摘要

There is disclosed a radiation transmitting panel in the form of a solar thermal panel which receives incident solar radiation, and which has a substrate provided with a profiled coating on its outer surface which is formed by at least partly spherical beads closely spaced to each other which allow incident solar radiation to pass through the beads and into the substrate, regardless of the incident angle of the solar radiation, and which energy is then captured by any suitable energy transfer arrangement, such as pumped flow of heat transfer fluid (13), or photovoltaic array (15). In a preferred arrangement, the solar panel has its outer surface or surfaces moulded or pressed to simulate the appearance of any required conventional building or roofing material e.g. tile, slate, thatch, brick or stone.