Thermal performance and microclimate test methods for flat-plate solar thermal collectors

Abstract

In this Master’s thesis testing methods, experimental setups and data evaluation procedures for flat-plate solar thermal collectors are presented. An official quasi-dynamic test method according to the EU standard EN 12975 for evaluating the collector’s thermal performance is described, and its applicability to an existing experimental setup is evaluated. The general practicality of this setup is also reviewed. Furthermore, a second experimental setup is designed to monitor the inside conditions, or microclimate, of a solar thermal collector, in order to assess the frequency of condensation occurrence inside the collector. This work’s results include that the existing thermal performance setup needs to be upgraded in order to be able to produce accurate results, and that condensation inside the collector has not been observed during the whole measurement period. It can be concluded that the ventilation works well for the collector model in question.