Ilze Pelece
Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia
Imants Ziemelis
Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia
Uldis Iljins
Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110573913Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:32, p. 3913-3920
Published: 2011-11-03
ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
Usual constructions of solar energy receivers are not efficient enough in Latvia and others northern countries; and new constructions are required; that would be able to collect energy from all sides as well as to use the diffused radiation more efficiently.
The aim of the paper is to elaborate method for calculation of energy received by solar collector; usable for developing of new constructions of solar collectors; and to develop a new construction of solar collector using this method.
Such new construction can be a semi-spherical solar collector. Such collector has been made; and measurements of water heating have been carried out.
Method of calculations of received energy has been elaborated. Theoretical calculations of the energy gain from semi-spherical solar collector have been performed and verified by comparison of calculated daily energy sums with measured ones; and good coincidence has been obtained.
Method of calculations allows calculating not only integral received energy; but also distribution of the received energy along the surface. The measured distribution of surface temperature of the semi-spherical solar collector corresponds to the calculated one. There are no spot on the semi-spherical surface which would never get warm. Such semi-spherical solar collector could be appropriate for use of solar energy in Latvia and other countries with similar geographical and climatic conditions.
Solar collector; Semi-spherical; Distribution of surface temperature; Energy gain
