Libyan academic for post graduate studies
Report in solar collectors
Othman Essa Othman (747)
Supervisor
dr. Ali. [Link]
2025-2026
Content
Definition
Classification
Types
Applications
Advantage &disadvantage
reference
1. Solar collectors
Solar collector is a device that collects thermal energy of solar insolation by
absorbing them. The thermal energy thus stored is carried away by a flowing
fluid and utilized for some specific purposes.
1.1 Classification of solar collectors
Fig.1 shows the classification of solar collectors.
1.1.1 Non-concentrating solar collectors
Most of the time, solar thermal energy systems for heating water or air have
non-concentrating collectors. The transparent surface or the collector area
where the solar radiation is transmitted is also where the absorption of the
solar energy or radiation occurs.
1.1.2 Concentrating solar collectors
Concentrating solar collectors have a bigger transparent cover than absorber
areas. This kind of collector concentrates the solar energy onto the absorber.
1.2 Types of solar collectors
These are the most common types of solar thermal collectors:
1. Flat plate solar collectors.
2. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors
3. Evacuated tube solar collectors.
4. Line-focus solar collectors (Parabolic trough).
5. Point focus solar collectors (parabolic dish).
6. Central tower receivers collector.
1.1.1. Flat plate collectors
flat plate solar collectors are made out of metal, usually copper or aluminum,
as they are good conductors of heat. They also have some sort of transparent
glazing on top that serves as a cover for the dark-colored absorber plate. To
minimize heat losses, the sides and the bottom of this type of collector are
covered with insulation.
Fig.2 Flat plate collector: (a) end view and (b) 3D view.
1.1.2. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors
A new generation of solar collectors, known as hybrid PV/T solar systems,
has recently been developed. Such systems serve both the purposes (a) direct
electricity generation using photovoltaic cells and (b) solar thermal
conversion.
Fig. 3. Hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collector.
1.1.3. Evacuated tube collectors
The evacuated tube collector (ETC) consists of a heat pipe kept inside a
glass enclosure, as shown in Fig.4
1.1.4 Line-focus solar collectors
The parabolic trough collector consists of a parabolic reflecting surface with
an absorber tube placed along its focal line. The position of sun is tracked
for normal incidence of solar radiations at any instant of time (Fig. 5).
1.1.5 Point focus solar collectors
The parabolic dish collector, shown in Fig .6 .
has a parabolic dish fitted with two-axes tracking system. The rays are
concentrated at a point where receiver is placed. Inside the receiver, a heat
exchanger is provided which allows the heat to be transferred to the working
fluid.
1.1.6 Central tower receivers.
This type of arrangement is employed in large-scale installations meant for
power generation. The system has a central tower surrounded by a large
number of heliostats having individual two axes tracking systems, as shown
in Fig. 7.
1.3 Solar collectors and their applications
These are the most common applications of the different types of solar
collectors:
1. Solar water heating,
2. Space heating,
3. Solar cooling, and
4. Solar thermal power plants.
1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of solar collectors
There are many types of solar collectors and each has its own specific
advantages and disadvantages compared to one another.
Advantages
They are highly efficient.
They are sustainable to extremely high temperatures (for
concentrating solar collectors).
They help reduce energy costs caused by heating or cooling
appliances in the house.
They can be used in many ways around houses or buildings.
They only use a renewable source of energy which is the Sun.
They can store heat for electricity generation overnight and during
cloudy weather conditions.
They are low-maintenance.
They are convenient to use because they don’t require a lot of work
for them to function while being mounted on the roof.
They are environmentally friendly as they have no carbon emissions,
unlike other heat sources.
Disadvantages
They have an expensive initial cost for installation and maintenance.
They are unable to produce electricity especially when the Sun has not
been out for a couple of days.
They require a sun tracking system to concentrate sunlight and
achieve a high temperature.
When used in solar thermal power plants, these solar collectors can
disrupt wildlife due to the adverse effects of the reflectors or mirrors.
Reference
1. [Link] / Progress in Energy and Combustion
Science30(2004)231–295.
2. S. Suman et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49
(2015) 192–210.
