69 Performance of a Novel Evacuated Solar Air Collector Available to Purchase

Using air as heat transfer fluid in solar collector has its special merits, such as: low cost of solar collector, usable in lower temperature ambient without freezing problem and high efficiency for driving desiccant cooling system. In this paper, experimental study was conducted on a novel evacuated solar air collector. The experiments were performed in the weather conditions of different seasons in east China area. The structure of the solar collector and experimental method are described. All seasons' performances are reported. It is found that 20∼40 °C temperature increase can be obtained by single stage of air solar collector. The collector efficiency is in the range of 60%∼70%. This collector can be connected in serial as well as parallel flexibly, and can be used in very cold area.