Effect of diffuse solar radiation on the thermal performance of solar collectors

Abstract

To characterize the thermal performance of solar thermal collectors, lab tests are required to evaluate the maximum thermal efficiency and heat loss. The CNS 15165–1:2008 is in compliance with ISO 9806:1994, which is an outdoor steady-state test method. The test time may get quite long due to the requirement of the ratio of diffuse to global solar radiation. The experimental data indicate the effect of diffuse solar radiation on the thermal performance of glazed, metallic, flat-plate solar thermal solar collectors is not significant. Keywords: Flat plate solar thermal collector, Efficiency curve, Global solar radiation, Solar diffusion