Estimation of Heat Loss Factor with the Tilt Angle in a Solar Thermal Flat-Plate Collector

Abstract

In this era, the excessive usage and depletion of non-renewable energy reserves has posed an urgent need for effective utilization of renewable energy resources, namely solar, wind, hydro. The best utilization of the solar energy will be possible when the path of the radiation can be effectively tracked. In this paper, a solar thermal flat-plate collector setup was employed to fathom the variation in heat loss parameters, viz. heat removal factor (FR) and overall heat loss coefficient (UL) with the tilt angle. A detailed insight into these factors enables us to position the solar thermal flat plate in proper arrangement with the incident radiation for maximum efficiency. Three tilt angle values (30°, 32°, and 34°) were chosen at random to align the plate for experimentation. The pyranometer integrated with the collector measured the direct solar heat radiation (GT). The thermocouple arrangement was employed to measure the input and output temperatures of the water moving through the collector, which were in turn displayed through a data logger. In conclusion, an increase in product of FR and UL was observed with corresponding upgradation of tilt angle. The trend in deviation of instantaneous efficiency showed a downfall accordingly.