It is essential that the designer of a solar thermal system be able to accurately size the size the collector field, energy storage requirement, and other system components in order that a given heat load be satisfied. This requires the capability to accurately predict the energy output by the solar collectors and an hourly calculation of the energy balance of the solar facility. The system design is usually based on a wide variety of operating conditions as experienced by the solar system for a typical year of operation. Not only do the solar radiation and ambient temperature vary throughout the day, but also the incident angle of the solar radiation as well which, for the case of a one-axis tracking concentrator, also has a large effect on collector performance. As a result it is important that the collector-testing methods and the performance-prediction technique be consistent and capable of accurately predicting the solar collector energy,output.
Product Details
- Published:
- 1981
- Number of Pages:
- 11
- File Size:
- 1 file , 1000 KB
- Product Code(s):
- D-CI-81-10-1
