Completed Tasks
TASK 3 - PERFORMANCE TESTING OF SOLAR COLLECTORS
DURATION: 1977 - 1987
OPERATING AGENT: Germany (1977 - 83), United Kingdom (1983 - 87)
» SCOPE
- Collector thermal performance test procedures
- Collector reliability and durability
- Potential of solar simulators
- Short-term test methods for solar DHW systems
In this task, priority was given to the development of reliable and practical methods for assessing the performance of collectors and complete systems and for evaluating their reliability and durability. Test procedures were developed and recommended which are more accurate, and are applicable to a wide range of collector types, test conditions and operating conditions.
Pioneering Task 3 work in solar simulators led to collector test results from indoor testing which are comparable to those obtained from outdoor test facilities, allowing routine testing to be carried out throughout the year.
In addition, short-term tests were developed which can predict the long-term performance of systems. Common failure modes of collectors and the influence of design and environmental factors on degradation were also studied, and a handbook on qualification testing and inspection procedures prepared.