Optimal reflector position of a double exposure flat-plate solar collector

Abstract

The double exposure flat-plate solar collector (DEFPC) is a solar collector that can absorb solar irradiation from its upper as well as lower absorber surface (LAS). Absorption of a solar irradiation from its LAS is achieved using flat plate reflector placed below the collector. Compared to a conventional flat-plate solar collector, the insulation of the analyzed collector, placed in the bottom of the box, is replaced by glazing. In this paper the optimal reflector positions of the DEFPC are presented. They were obtained for the optimal yearly position of the collector at 44° N Latitude (Kragujevac, Serbia) and for equal dimensions of the collector and the reflector. The range of the reflector movement during a single year as well as the optimal reflector dimensions for minimum movement, were determined, too.