The Basic Components of Solar Collectors

Solar collectors, or solar panels are simple components and can easily be built by the average do-it-yourselfer. Because solar heating collectors are simple, they often last upward of twenty years requiring very little maintenance. However, to ensure their longevity, it is recommended to routinely check them to make sure that the glass cover is not cracked, the wood frame has not warped, and the system has not developed any leaks.

Nearly every solar panel uses copper tubing to transport the water through the collector. Even though copper is expensive, it is used because it does not corrode in water or if proper inhibitors are used, will not corrode in water/ethylene or glycol mixtures. Another reason why copper is used is its high thermal conductive properties that are crucial for providing sufficient solar heat to the water supply. Copper is also soft and can easily be work into the any desired shape.

The copper tubing is attached to a blackened absorber plate. The absorber plate collects radiant energy from the sun then transfers it to the copper tubing filled with water. The absorber plate is often made from aluminum or copper, which provide the best results. To reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion, the absorber plate as well as the copper tubing is painted with black primer and paint. The absorber plate and copper tubing are housed in a simple wooden tray, usually made with marine-ply backing and coated with a good preservative to minimizes warping as well as maintenance.

The transparent cover is the next component of solar collectors, which prevent heat loss in cool weather as well as traps long wave radiation, which improves the efficiency of the solar panel. The cover is often made of glass because it is readily available and has a high light transmission value. Even though glass is most often used for the covers, acrylic sheeting can also be used, which and this will reduce the weight of the panel. In addition, acrylic is also much cheaper than glass. However, acrylic does have the disadvantage of scratching, or becoming discolored.

The other components that make up the solar panels include insulation, reflective foil, or Mylar Aluminized Film. Through the Internet, you can find several sits that have extremely detailed plans for building solar panels, many with efficiency rating of approximately 40% to 60%, making them comparable with most commercially available units. Therefore, if you are an avid do-it-yourselfer, you may want to consider building your own solar panel.

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