Abstract
A review of outdoor solar collector test methods is presented, based largely on the CEC Recommendations for European Solar Collector Test Methods. Test facility design and instrumentation are discussed, with reference to their influence on measured collector efficiencies. Steady state outdoor testing, mixed indoor/outdoor testing and transient testing are reviewed, and it is concluded that although the testing of simple flat plate water heaters is fairly well understood, more work is now required to develop test methods for the new high performance collectors which are coming onto the market.
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Abbreviations
- α:
-
solar absorptance
- A:
-
area
- ao,a:
-
constants
- Cp :
-
specific heat capacity of fluid
- F:
-
collector efficiency factor
- FR :
-
collector flow factor
- G:
-
solar irradiance
- j:
-
time
- Kn :
-
weighting function
- M:
-
fluid capacity of collector
- ṁ:
-
fluid flow rate
- q:
-
rate of heat flow
- U:
-
collector heat loss coefficient
- τ:
-
time
- τ:
-
cover transmittance
- t:
-
time
- Ta :
-
air temperature
- Ti :
-
collector inlet temperature
- Tm :
-
mean collector temperature
- To :
-
collector outlet temperature
- T*:
-
reduced temperature difference (Tm-Ta)/G
- ΔT:
-
temperature difference between inlet and outlet
- η:
-
collector efficiency
- ηo :
-
collector efficiency when Tm = Ta
References
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Hill, J.E. and Kasuda, T. Method of testing for rating solar collectors based on thermal performance, NBS report NBSIR 74–635 Dec. 1974.
Derrick, A. and Gillett, W.B. (Ed): Recommendations for European solar collector test methods. Commission of the European Communities, DG12, Brussels, Jan. 1980.
Duffie, J.A. and Beekman, W.A.: Solar Energy Thermal Processes, Wiley 1974.
Guide to meteorological instrument and observing practices. World Meteorological Organisation 1971.
ASHRAE 93–77.: Methods of testing to determine the thermal performance of solar collectors. New York, Jan. 1977.
Green, A.A., Kenna, J.P. and Rawcliffe, R.W.: The influence of wind speed on solar collector performance, Proc. Conf. IEE. Future Energy Concepts, London 1981.
UNI Fascicolo n.4184.: Collettori solari cviteri e raccomandazioni, integrazione edilizia, richieste di prestazioni, metodo di prova, (1977).
P 50–501.: Mesure des performances thermiques, AFNOR. Dec. 1977.
Bundesverband Solarenergie (B.S.E.): Guidelines and directions for determining the usability of solar collectors. May 1978.
DD77:1981. Methods of test for the thermal performance of solar collectors,: British Standard Draft for Development, London.
Gillett, W.B.: The equivalence of outdoor and mixed indoor/outdo or solar collector testing. Solar Energy, Vol. 25, pp 543–548. 1980.
, Rogers, B.A.: A method of collector testing under transient conditions. Proc. Solar World Forum. ISES Congress, Brighton 1981.
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© 1983 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
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Gillett, W.B. (1983). Performance Test Procedures for Thermal Collectors (1) Outdoor Testing. In: Beghi, G. (eds) Performance of Solar Energy Converters: Thermal Collectors and Photovoltaic Cells. ISPRA Courses on Energy Systems and Technology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9813-4_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9813-4_3
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