Air-cooled solar collector - uses granular bed behind glass cooled by distributed air flow

摘要

An air-cooled solar panel comprises a bed of dark energy absorbing granules e.g. of carbon, sandwiched between an insulating back plate and a glass front which is oriented towards the sun. Air is circulated through the granules to recover the heat collected. Supply and return air header run the full width of two opposing sides of the panel and are constructed of perforated granule-retaining walls on one side holding the granular bed in position, and by the panel frame on the other side. Perforated baffles run the full length of each header extending diagonally across the direct section. The pressure drop across the baffle is such that flow is evenly distributed across the full width of the granular bed, preventing channelling of air through the bed.