Novel flat-plate solar collector with an inclined N-S axis and relative E-W tracking absorbers and the numerical analysis of its potentials

Abstract

The current flat-plate solar collectors perform best when their absorbers rotate around their axis. However, with their concentrators, reflectors, and tracking mechanisms, they take up a lot of space and are thus commercially speaking, not the best solutions. This paper proposes a novel solar collector design which employs the (relative) rotation of absorbers, but strives to combine the benefits of fixed and (absolute) tracking solar systems, i.e. volume occupancy from the former and thermal performance from the latter. The findings of our numerical analysis show that, the solar irradiance efficiency of this novel design is 20% higher than that of a fixed flat-plate collector during clear-sky days, and it is equally lower than that of an absolute tracking collector. This paper also introduces a new criterion for describing single-axis tracking solar collectors which should be included in the classifications of solar collectors. Finally, the article, which represents a continuation of our research in the field of solar energy utilization, can contribute to the future development of solar technologies and solve some of the current challenges.