Soler collectors

Solar collector is the device designed to collect solar energy transferred by visible light and near infrared radiation. Unlike solar batteries that directly generate electricity, solar collector heats heat carrier material. Using solar energy, systems of collectors allow to save traditional fuel annually:
- up to 75 % - for hot water supply (HWS) throughout the year;
- up to 95 % - for seasonal use of HWS;
- up to 50 % - for heating;
- up to 80 % - for standby heating.

Where solar collectors are used

The use of solar collectors is at the core of many solar energy systems. Collector absorbs light energy of the sun and converts it into heat that is transferred to a heat carrier (liquid or air) and then is used to heat buildings, water, generate electricity, dry agricultural products or cook. Solar collectors can be used in almost all processes that are using heat.

Solar water heating systems are used in:
- private houses;
- apartment buildings;
- schools;
- car washes;
- health facilities;
- restaurants;
- agriculture;
- industry.

Types of solar collectors.

Flat-plate collector

One of the most widespread types of solar collectors is flat collector. Flat-plate collectors lose more heat than collectors, consisting of vacuum tubes. Flat-plate collectors consist of:
- planar absorber;
- transparent glass cover;
- thermal insulation from the back side and frame (usually made of aluminum or steel).

The absorber is a steel sheet (copper, aluminum) covered with dark paint. It is connected to a heat-conducting tubes. A layer of absorber collects solar rays, converting them into heat that is transferred to the liquid heat carrier and then to solar battery. This type of collector is mainly used in southern latitudes that are characterized by large amounts of solar activity.

Vacuum collector

This type of collector is ideally suited for northern latitudes and Latvia in particular. Vacuum tube solar collectors heat water for domestic use where water of higher temperature is needed. Solar radiation passes through the outer glass tube, reaches the absorber tube and converts into heat. It is transmitted to the fluid flowing through the tube. The collector consists of several rows of parallel glass tubes, to each tube a tubular absorber (instead of the absorber plate in the flat-plate collectors) with a selective coating is attached. The heated fluid flows through a heat exchanger and transmits heat to the water contained in the storage tank.

Vacuum is the best thermal insulator, allowing the system to operate with minimal heat loss. Due to the shape of tube vacuum collector perceives not only direct, but also scattered radiation, increasing the efficiency of the collector operation. There are 3 types of collector constructions:
- with filling the interior space of a heat transfer agent (straight-through);
- with heat tubes;
- with U-tubes.

Our company has already been offering for several years different solutions in the area of water heating by means of solar collectors with heat tubes. Our core product is a vacuum collector for 30 tubes, automatic control unit and water heater for 300 liters. System offered by our company is optimal for a private house with a family of up to 6 people.

Concentrating solar collectors

Concentrating solar collectors surpass flat and evacuated tube collectors in performance. They unlike conventional collectors have reflectors (mirrors), therefore concentrating solar collectors are capable of absorbing sunlight from large areas. This type of solar collectors is usually used only for the commercial production of electricity, as it can produce heat of very high temperatures.