Measurement chain for the bifacial and the conventional flat-plate water solar collectors

Abstract

The term bifacial flat-plate water solar collector means a solar collector that can absorb solar irradiation by its upper as well as its lower absorber surface. Absorption of solar radiation by its lower absorber surface is achieved by using reflective surface (reflector) placed below the collector. Compared to a conventional flat-plate water solar collector, the analyzed collector insulation, placed in the bottom of the box, is replaced by glass cover (glazing). In this paper a measurement chain for testing the mentioned specific solar collector and the conventional collector is presented. The measurement chain would provide data about instantaneous useful energy gain and efficiency for both collectors