- Author
- Clark, E. J. | Roberts, W. E. | Grimes, J. W. | Embree, E. J.
- Title
- Solar Energy Systems: Standards for Cover Plates for Flat Plate Solar Collectors. Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBS TN 1132, December 1980, 157 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- solar collectors | dimensional stability | solar energy
- Abstract
- Laboratory studies were performed to obtain data needed for the development of standards to evaluate the performance and durability of cover plates for flat plate solar collectors used in solar heating and cooling systems. Ten cover plate materials were evaluated to assess their durability after exposure to heat aging, natural weathering and accelerated weathering. Laboratory tests included measurement of solar energy transmittance, linear dimensional stability, warpage and the effect of the dirt retention. The temperatures cover plate materials attain on solar collectors were determined by measurement and by computer simulations. A procedure was developed for the natural weathering exposure of cover plate materials at elevated temperatures which approximate stagnation conditions of solar collectors. The results of the laboratory tests are presented and draft standards for evaluating cover plate materials for flat plate solar collectors are proposed.