- Author
- Waksman, D. | Thomas, W. C. | Streed, E. R.
- Title
- NBS (National Bureau of Standards) Solar Collector Durability/Reliability Test Program: Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg
- Sponsor
- Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBS TN 1196, September 1984,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- performance tests; quality assurance; reliability; durability; deterioration; degradation; project planning | exposure time | solar collectors
- Identifiers
- solar collectors
- Abstract
- In this research, eight different types of flat-plate solar collectors were exposed outdoors at four sites located in different climatic regions. Small scale cover and absorber materials coupon specimens consisting of samples taken from a collector of each of the eight types used and a number of additional materials were exposed concurrently with the full-size collectors. Periodic measurements were made of collector and materials performance as a function of outdoor exposure time. Indoor laboratory aging tests were conducted concurrently on specimens of the same materials to provide a basis for comparison with the outdoor exposure tests. This report presents the results obtained in this test program. Recommendations are made regarding the use and limitations of performance measurements and environmental exposure tests for assessing the durability of solar collectors and absorber and cover materials.