Statistical analysis of solar thermal collectors in the Solar Keymark Database

Abstract

Experimental, analytical, or numerical investigations are ordinarily conducted to reveal optimisation potential for solar thermal collectors. At the same time, the ‘Solar Keymark Database’ contains more than 2,000 test reports from certified laboratories featuring properties including thermal efficiency, dimensions, or optical properties. This dataset offers untapped potential for statistical analyses as an alternative optimisation approach. Hence, this paper aims to provide a) the first statistical findings of solar thermal collector properties listed in the Solar Keymark Database and b) insights into statistical relations between these properties. The key correlations observed from the analysis of flat-plate collectors were between efficiency and both gross height (R=0.30) and gross area (R=0.27). We concluded that preferable collector designs may be featured with larger area to height ratios. The analyses of evacuated tube collectors revealed a strong correlation between efficiency and transversal incidence angle modifier (R=-0.65) as a result from different tube spacing. It was noticeable that the quasi-dynamic test method reported significantly higher efficiencies (7.14 percentage points) for evacuated tube collectors, which should be carefully considered for future test procedures. Overall, the statistical analysis was in accordance with conventional bottom-up analyses and revealed insightful dependencies for the present collector data.