Chapter 6.1 - Screening Tests of Candidate Polymeric Glazings

Abstract

This chapter discusses a number of candidate polymeric glazings that have been identified, and to present results from preliminary and ongoing durability screening tests of these materials. The economic viability of solar collector systems for domestic hot water (DHW) generation is strongly linked to the cost of such systems. Installation and hardware costs must be reduced by 50% to allow significant market penetration. An attractive approach for reducing costs is to replace glass and metal parts with less expensive, lighter weight polymeric components. Weight reduction will decrease the cost of shipping, handling, and installation. The use of polymeric materials will also allow the benefits and cost savings associated with well-established manufacturing processes, along with the savings associated with improved fastening, reduced part count, and overall assembly refinements. A key challenge is to maintain adequate system performance and to assure requisite durability for extended lifetimes. Nevertheless, this concept has begun to be recognized and accepted throughout the world.