a concave mirror that concentrates the rays of the sun; can produce high temperatures
a black metal absorber plate surrounded by an insulated box with a window on the front
a device designed to absorb incident solar radiation and to transfer the energy to the fluid or air passing through it
a device designed to absorb incident solar radiation, to convert it to thermal energy, and to transfer energy to a fluid in contact with it
a device that absorbs the energy of the Sun and
a device that concentrates the sun's light to a point or absorbs the sun's energy.
a device (usually flat plates or tubes) for capturing solar energy. Windows are a simple device, and solar hot water systems involve more complex devices, with water running through them.
A device used to absorb heat from the sun. In the context of buildings, the absorbed energy typically heats water, which is then used for space heating and/or domestic hot water.
Device for collecting radiant energy from the sun and converting it into heat. See active solar heating system, passive solar heating system.
A component of an active or passive solar system that absorbs solar radiation to heat a transfer medium which, in turn, supplies heat energy to the space or water heating system.
A device used to collect, absorb, and transfer solar energy to a working fluid.
A solar collector is a device for extracting the energy of the sun directly into a more usable or storable form. The energy in sunlight is in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the infrared (long) to the ultraviolet (short) wavelengths. The solar energy striking the earth's surface at any one time depends on weather conditions, as well as location and orientation of the surface, but overall, it averages about 1000 watts per square meter on a clear day with the surface directly perpendicular to the sun's rays.
