An absorber, a frame, a glass pane: the basic components of a solar

Sun & Wind Energy 6/200940

What are the current trends on the internati-onal flat-plate collector market? We have already identified important trends in our

world map of flat-plate collector manufacturers (see S&WE 6/2008, page 78). Aluminium continues to catch up with copper as an absorber material. Many manufacturers are also pursuing a two-track policy and are deploying both materials. Blue coatings are now used worldwide.

But how are the collector frames constructed? How is the glass cover fixed? Which collector characteristics are measured by testing bodies? With this overview we

An absorber, a frame, a glass pane:

the basic components of a solar

collector are quickly listed. However,

there are various ways in which

these components can be combined

to make a functioning solar

collector.

Solar thermal overview of Standard collectorS

Phot

o: N

imro

d

Current state of technology


want to provide a detailed insight into the current state of col-lector technology. For this purpose, SUN & WIND ENERGY con-ducted a survey in April in which more than 200 manufacturers of flat-plate collectors were asked about their products. Of these, 61 took part in this market overview (see table on page 46-49). In this issue we are focussing on standard collectors. In the following issue we will be reporting on large-scale col-lectors with surface areas of 3 to 16 m2.

Aluminium or copper?

Aluminium is becoming increasing important as an absorber material. Whereas in the survey for the world map 2008 only 8 % of the companies stated that they only used aluminium absorbers, in the latest survey 26 % provided data on collec-tors with exclusively aluminium absorbers. A sheet thickness of 0.4 to 0.5 mm is standard for aluminium. But considerably thicker sheets are also used. Tuma Industrial Ltda. from Bra-zil uses fins which are 0.7 mm thick; with the Turkish manu-facturer Solar Isi Sistemleri A.S. the fins are even 1 mm thick.

On the other hand, manufacturers are trying to counter-act the increasing costs of raw materials in recent years by saving on materials. One example: Kioto Clear Energy S.A. de

SUN & WIND ENERGY has carried out a worldwide survey of solar collector manufacturers and their products and offers a detailed insight into the cur-rent state of collector technology. Photo: CD Solar

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Solar thermal


overview of Standard collectorS

states International Manager Mark Perger. US company Alternate Energy Technologies LLC

uses a special coating. AET: “Our all-copper fin mate-rial is finished with a proprietary Crystal Clear solar-selective coating. The quartz-encapsulated, bi-metal-lic alloy boasts a monitored production absorptivity of 0.96 ± 3% and emissivity of 0.08 ± 3 %”, says Dean Villalva, Director of Engineering.

There are also improvements in black paint. Sun-ray SARL from the French island territory of New Cale-donia has developed the Black Master paint. “It con-sists of a specific paint which absorbs the sun radia-tion more efficiently. The concept has been patent-ed”, says Managing Director Williams Danger.

Harp or meander?

Most manufacturers use harp-type tubing. Double-harps are also quite common. Meander absorbers (al-so known as serpentine absorbers) are only favoured by ten collector manufacturers. The German manufac-turer Vaillant Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG is one of them. Vaillant produces two versions: the vertical me-ander with four connections and the horizontal mean-der with two connections. Canadian company Ener-Works Inc. states that its meander-type tubing is con-nected to two internal headers to enable up to 10 col-lectors to be connected in parallel.

A special meander is produced by Itho Images BV from the Netherlands: “The collectors are drain-back collectors, ideally working with a pressureless and water–air-filled collector circuit,” says Product Man-ager Solar Erik Caelen. The collector tubing is com-posed of one long bent pipe with a fall to ensure that the collectors are entirely emptied during downtimes. Collectors which are specially designed for a drain-back system are also produced by Zen International bv from the Netherlands.

In addition to harp and meander absorbers there

C.V. from Mexico uses aluminium sheeting that is on-ly 0.3 mm thick. The company belongs to the Austri-an Kioto Group, which also has a stake in the world’s largest flat-plate collector manufacturer, GREEN-oneTEC Solarindustrie GmbH.

The cost pressure is even greater with copper. Whereas for a long time 0.2 mm sheets were effec-tively the standard for the industry, thinner absorbers are now being increasingly deployed. Many compa-nies are using sheet thicknesses of 0.15 and 0.12 mm.

Selective blue absorber coatings are used almost everywhere in the world. Many collector manufactur-ers also have black-chrome or black paint models in their product ranges. Solahart Industries Pty. Ltd in Australia even produces the black-chrome coating it-self. “Our Kf collector is completely produced in-house, including the selective surface production”,

A view of the production line at EnerWorks Photo: Enerworks

Collector design from Sun Ray Photo: Sun Ray

catchthe sun

power

www.chromagen.biz

Worldwide distributionQualified with significant international standardsSolutions range from private homes to mega systemsVast experience

http://www.chromagen.co.il

Solar thermal



are also fully flooded absorbers. The Greek company Calpak-Cicero Hellas S.A. and Solahart from Austra-lia equip collectors with fully flooded steel absorbers. Solarnor AS from Norway also produces a fully flood-ed collector using a double-plate plastic absorber.

A special type of collector is produced by G.M.P. engineering in Italy. The gmp Termocoppo solar col-lector has a modular design. It consists of 250 mm wide absorbers with U-piping. The individual absorb-ers are connected on the roof to a header tube. “Its design lends itself to integrated solutions, or where there are special architectural features”, says Gener-al Manager Giuseppe Pullini. “Its reduced weight (around 10 kg) enables the panels to be easily trans-ported and handled without special equipment.” Var-ious lengths are available. Standard lengths are 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 m.

The plastic collectors from Solanor also come in a variety of lengths and are particularly light. Arthur Sief, CEO of Siko Solar Vertriebs GmbH in Austria, al-so views the diversity of collectors as a strength of his company’s product range. Siko collectors are availa-ble in the standard heights 1 m, 2 m and 3 m. Anoth-er special feature is their selective coating, which Siko also applies in colours other than blue.

And of course companies that focus on OEM busi-ness also offer a wide product range: “We produce a big range of OEM collectors, with 4 different types of absorbers, 4 different types of frames, 9 different ba-sic dimensions, vertical or horizontal panels, always using raw materials of top quality”, reports Manos Monogios, Export Director at Greek manufacturers Papaemmanouel S.A. Czech company T.W.I. spol. sr.o. also relies on diversity and offers many modifications ranging from on-roof to roof-integrated solutions. “Our systems are suitable for universal use in solar applications that range from small thermosiphonic systems with one collector right up to 800 m²”, says Business Manager Vit Precan. A special feature at T.W.I. is that a stainless steel compensator is integrat-ed into the header tube. Sunway de Mexico SA de CV also offers a special header tube. The company de-ploys T-drill headers in order to create a more turbu-lent flow.

For the last three years, Solimpeks Solar Co. in Turkey has been producing hybrid collectors for gen-erating electricity and hot water: “The collector con-sists of two absorber panels. In front of the copper absorber is a PV panel. We launched this product three years ago and now there is an increasing de-mand on the world market”, reports Marketing Man-ger Hüseyin Gökalp.

Frames or trays?

Most collectors are framed collectors (62 %) con-tained within aluminium profiles (see figure 1). In ad-dition to framed collectors, tray collectors are also frequently used (24 %). Framed collectors usually al-so have back plates made of aluminium. “Our collec-tors have bent anodized aluminium profiles and alu-minium back plates that make the collectors highly resistant to severe weather and environmental condi-tions close to the sea”, explains Anastasios Dimas from the Greek manufacturer Dimas SA. However, steel sheets and plastic panels are also used. Only six manufacturers produce steel-framed collectors, usually from galvanised steel. The Japanese compa-ny Chiryu Heater Co. Ltd. uses stainless steel.

Rivets or screws?

Diverse methods are used to connect the aluminium profiles to form frames. Riveting is the most frequent-ly used method (see figure 2). But screwing, welding, bonding and pressing are also used. A number of companies double up and combine adhesives with welding points, rivets or screws.

The frames usually consist of four profiles. The Italian company Aristonthermo S.p.A. connects the four aluminium profiles together using a plastic angle via a mechanical joint system, explains Solar Thermal Product Manager Marco Guaitini. Vaillant press-con-nects the four aluminium rails with four metal corner profiles. At Vaillant a robot glues the collector’s back sheet to the frame. Apart from rivets, bonding is the most frequent procedure used for this working stage

The Italian company GMP engineering constructs col-lectors with modular U-pipe segments. Photo: GMP engineering

Fig. 1: Most collectors are equipped with frames made from aluminium profiles. However, aluminium trays are also frequently used. Wooden frames are mainly used in Europe for roof-integrated collectors. Source: manufacturer‘s information

Aluminium frame 63 %

Aluminium tray 24 %

Steel frame 10 %

Synthetic tray 2 %

Wooden frame 2 %

Frames or trays?


Frame joints: Rivets or screws?

Fig. 2: 37 % of collector frames are riveted. Source: manufacturer‘s information

Riveting 37 %

Screwing 15 %

Welding 9 %

Jamming 9 %

Mechanical joint 9 %

Stucking profiles 4 %

Jamming + welding 4 %

Riveting + jamming 2 %

Riveting + screwing 2 %

Welding + screwing 2 %

Jamming + screwing 2 %

Clamping 2 %

Back sheet: Bonding dominates

Adhesive 38 %

Riveting 31 %

Welding 6 %

Riveting + adhesive 6 %

Screwing 4 %

Fixed with PU insulation 4 %

Pressing + adhesive 2 %

Screwing + adhesive 2 %

Welding + riveting 2 %

Others 4 %

Fig. 3: 38 % of the collector back sheets are glued to the frames. For 31 % of the solar collectors, manufacturers use rivets to fix the back sheets. Source: manufacturer‘s information

(see figure 3). Other methods such as welding or screwing are rarely used. The Israeli company Chromagen fixes the polypropylene back sheet with adhesive bonding to the polyurethane insulation.

Some companies such as Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG and EnerWorks in Germany produce the frame as one piece: “Our collector has a frame made out of a single

http://www.sun-ray.fr

Solar thermal



Overview of flat-plate collectors

ManufacturerCollector

model

Collector surface

[m2]

Collector weight

[kg]

Absorber material

Absorber thickness

[mm]Absorber coatings

Absorber type 42

Absorber-tube connection 43 Hydraulics Frame / trough material

Connection me-thod of the frame

Collector insula-tion [mm]

Side insula-

tion

Glass thickness

[mm]

Glass trans-mission [%]

Tested for confor-mity with which standard/norm

Collector efficiency

n0 40

Heat loss coefficient a1

[W/m²·K]


[W/m²·K²]

Warranty [years]

Noncommittal gross final

customer price [¤]

Website

AET, USA AE-32 2.97 51.26 copper 0.20 Crystal Clear finssolid state HF welding

harp Al frame riveting PU (28.6) yes 3.1 90 DIN 4757-4 0.771 -3.68 -0.0191 10 425,41 www.aetsolar.com

Ariston Thermo, Italy

SYS 2.5 2.52 49.20 copper 1 0.20 Almeco-Tinox full ultrasonic meander Al frame + Al back sheet mechanical joint rock wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975-2 0.729 4.2 0.009 5 930 46www.aristonthermo.comCF 2.0 2.01 35.60 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp Al frame + Al back sheet jamming 49 rock wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975-2 0.738 4 0.012 5 770 46

Avant Solar, Spain AS-20VC 2.00 39.40 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic harp Al frame riveting rock wool yes 4.0 91.6 EN 12975 0.786 3.811 0.019 11 393 www.avant-solar.com

Batec Solar, Denmark

BA22 2.19 39.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins roll bond double harp Al frame welding mineral wool yes 3.2 91.2 EN 12975 18 0.767 3.327 0.01 10 511.40 www.batec.dk

Baymak, Turkey C811 1.90 35.00 copper 0.20 Sunselect full ultrasonic 2 harp Al frame + steel back sheet screwing glass wool yes 4.0 90 EN 12975 18 0.751 4.51 0.0095 10 n/a www.baymak.com.tr

Bubbling Springs Solar, USA

Main-Stream-32

2.97 44.90 aluminium 0.50 selective paint fins roll bondparallel flow

Al frame screwingcompressed fibre glass (25.4)

yes 3.175 91 ASHRAE 93-2003 24 0.702 -4.32 -0.0138 15 647www. bubblingspringssolar.com

Calpak, Greece200GA 2.21 35.00 aluminium 0.50 Bluetec full laser n/a

Al frame 19 + Al or synthetic back sheet

riveting PU (30-35) yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.76 41 4.23 0.011 5 500www.calpak.gr

200G 2.21 50.50sandwich type steel

0.80 black paintfull / fully flooded

weldingfully flooded


riveting PU (30-35) yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.76 6.77 0.022 5 400

CD Solar, Italy SCT1024 2.24 47.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp 3 Al framestructural connec-tion with plastic corners

40 yes 3.2 91 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a www.cdsolar.it

Chiryu Heater, Japan

CSC2C 1.96 35.00 aluminium 0.40 blue fins ultrasonic n/a stainless steel frame riveting fibre glass (40) yes 3.2 92 JIS A1426, A4112 0.748 4.4 0.024 10 450www.chiryuheater.jp/en

#400 1.96 41.00 stainless steel 0.30 selective paint full seam welding n/a stainless steel frame riveting fibre glass (40) yes 3.2 86 JIS A4111 25 0.726 5.4 0.016 10 400

Chromagen, IsraelCR100 1.85 31.00 copper 0.20

black chrome/ selective paint

fins ultrasonic harpgalvanized steel frame + PP back sheet

bonding 50 PU (25) + glass wool (20)

yes 3.2 91 EN 12975 18 0.72 -3.7 -0.013 5 to 10 45 n/awww.chromagen.biz

PA-F 2.56 44.00 aluminium 0.40 Mirotherm full laser harp Al frame + PP back sheet rivetingPU (25) + glass wool ( 20)

yes 3.2 91 under process 26 0.76 -3.7 -0.01 5 to 10 45 n/a

CitrinSolar, Germany

CS 100 F 2.08 38.00 copper 0.20 Almeco-Tinox full ultrasonicdouble harp 4

Al frame + steel back sheet clinching rock wool yes 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 26 0.798 3.34 0.0075 10 n/a www.citrinsolar.de

Cordivari, Italy cs 2,5 2.50 43.00 copper 0.20 blue full ultrasonic harp Al trough riveting rock wool yes 4.0 89 EN 12975 0.798 41 4.1 0.011 5 n/a www.cordivari.it

Dimas, Greece SOL+2000 SA 2.00 37.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser harp Al frame bending rock wool (40) yes 4.0 90 EN12975 0.786 3.536 0.016 8 n/a www.dimas-solar.gr

Elcora, Cyprus n/a2.00 to 2.50

35.00 aluminium 0.50 blue 5 full laser n/a Al or alousin troughriveting or screwing

PS (20) + rock wool (40)

yes 3.2 / 4.0 92 EN 12975 0.65 n/a 0.016 5 n/a www.elcora-cy.com

EnerWorks, Canada

COL-4x8-NL-SG1-SH10

2.87 50.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander galvanized steel frame toggle lock 51 mineral wool yes 3.2 91CSA-F379, SRCC OG-100 27 0.7314 42 3.841 0.0129 10 733 www.enerworks.com

Ernst Schweizer, Switzerland

WTS-F1 K 3, K4

2.55 52.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full ultrasonic meander Al frame riveting mineral wool no 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.827 4.09 0.0055 10 n/awww.schweizer- metallbau.ch

ESE, Belgium Ecosol 2.32 2.32 48.00 copper 0.20 Arceo full ultrasonic meander galvanized steel frame n/a n/a yes 4.0 94 EN 12975 18 0.807 3.766 0.0059 10 807 www.ese-solar.com

Ezinç, TurkeySuperline L USB

2.28 41.00 copper 0.12 6 Bluetec fins ultrasonic harpAl frame + Al or synthetic back sheet

welding PU or mineral wool

yes 4.0 91.4 EN 12975 18 0.724 3.622 0.013 5 n/a www.ezinc.com.tr

Gasokol, Austria topSol UP 2.38 50.00 copper 0.20 blue full soldering harp wooden frame 29 screwing rock wool (50) no 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.816 4.122 0.011 10 n/a www.gasokol.at

G.M.P. engineering, Italy

TX250-20 0.45 10.50 aluminium 0.50 Sunselect full laser u-bend pipe Al frame / Al back sheet n/a rock wool (40) yes 4.0 n/a EN 12975 0.765 4.9 0.010 5 230 www.termocoppo.it

Grand Solar, Korea

GSOL-P20 2.30 38.60 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp Al trough 20 clampingpolyester with water glass (50)

yes (15 mm)

3.2 91.7 EN 12975 18 0.784 3.897 0.014 15 to 20 250 to 255www.grandsolar.co.kr

GSOL-D20 2.30 36.00 copper 0.12 black chrome full soldering harp Al frame clampingpolyester with water glass (30)

yes (10 mm)

3.2 91.7 KS B 8403 28 0.760 4.47 0.016 10 to 15 220 to 230

InterSolar, Greece A25S 2.50 47.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser harp Al frame + steel back sheet riveting rock wool (30) yes 4.0 88 EN 12975 18 0.78 4.58 0.025 5 500 www.intersolar.gr

Itho-Images, Netherlands

C25-Portrait 2.50 41.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander 34 Al trough 21 screwing glass wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.74 3.629 0.014 5 325 47 www.itho-images.nl

Jay Industries, India

Flat Plate 2.00 45.00 copper0.12 or 0.15

black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al frame / Al back sheet screwing rock wool yes 4.0 > 82 IS 12933 :2003 29 0.671 4.68 n/a 5 140 www.jaysolar.net

Jehin, KoreaJH-C 2.00 35.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full soldering meander Al trough riveting rock wool (35) yes 3.2 90 KS-B-8200:2006 30 0.79 5.18 n/a 2 257

www.jehin.co.krJH-D 2.00 40.00 aluminium 0.40 Bluetec full ultrasonic meander Al frame / Al back sheet

screwing + welding

synthetic resin (34)

yes 3.2 90 not tested n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

KBB, Germany K420-DH2.15 / 2.51

34.00 aluminium 0.50 Bluetec full laser double harp 7

Al frame riveting mineral wool (50) yes 3.2 91.0 EN 12975 18 0.801 3.65 0.0169 10 n/awww.kbb-solar.com, www.k4-collectors.com

Kioto, Austria FP1.20.0 LE sc 2.03 27.00 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec full laser harp Al frame welding, jamming PU no 3.2 89 under process 0.723 3.749 0.016 10 n/a www.kioto.com

Kotak Urja, IndiaKOTAKSUN 2.00 40.00 copper 0.17 black chrome fins ultrasonic

double meander

Al framescrewless inter-locking

rock wool yes 4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.82 n/a n/a 1 190www.kotakurja.com

KOTAKSUN 2.00 38.00 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec fins clampingdouble meander


glass wool yes 4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.79 n/a n/a 1 175

Módulo Solar, Mexico

HITCI 2.00 32.00 copper 0.20 blue full ultrasonic harp Al frame screwing PU yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 0.79 n/a n/a 10 290 www.modulosolar.com.mx_CADOL 1.90 18.00 aluminium 0.40 black paint fins clamping harp galvanized steel frame screwing PU yes 6.0 38 87 NMX ES 001 0.70 n/a n/a 10 190

Nau, GermanySlimlineBlue-Energy

2.54 38.00 copper 0.20 Sunselect full soldering double harp Al frameriveting + clinching

rock wool (30) yes 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 18 0.805 3.59 0.0143 10 788 www.nau-gmbh.de

Nimrod Indust-ries, Israel

NIM25 2.50 42.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic harp Al frame jamming PU (23) yes 3 91 EN 12975 0.783 5 0.007 5 n/a www.nimrod-solar.com

Sun & Wind Energy 6/2009 47


model

Collector surface

[m2]

Collector weight

[kg]

Absorber material

Absorber thickness


Absorber type 42




Side insula-

tion

Glass thickness

[mm]




n0 40


[W/m²·K]


[W/m²·K²]

Warranty [years]

Noncommittal gross final

customer price [¤]

Website

AET, USA AE-32 2.97 51.26 copper 0.20 Crystal Clear finssolid state HF welding

harp Al frame riveting PU (28.6) yes 3.1 90 DIN 4757-4 0.771 -3.68 -0.0191 10 425,41 www.aetsolar.com

Ariston Thermo, Italy

SYS 2.5 2.52 49.20 copper 1 0.20 Almeco-Tinox full ultrasonic meander Al frame + Al back sheet mechanical joint rock wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975-2 0.729 4.2 0.009 5 930 46www.aristonthermo.comCF 2.0 2.01 35.60 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp Al frame + Al back sheet jamming 49 rock wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975-2 0.738 4 0.012 5 770 46

Avant Solar, Spain AS-20VC 2.00 39.40 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic harp Al frame riveting rock wool yes 4.0 91.6 EN 12975 0.786 3.811 0.019 11 393 www.avant-solar.com

Batec Solar, Denmark

BA22 2.19 39.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins roll bond double harp Al frame welding mineral wool yes 3.2 91.2 EN 12975 18 0.767 3.327 0.01 10 511.40 www.batec.dk

Baymak, Turkey C811 1.90 35.00 copper 0.20 Sunselect full ultrasonic 2 harp Al frame + steel back sheet screwing glass wool yes 4.0 90 EN 12975 18 0.751 4.51 0.0095 10 n/a www.baymak.com.tr

Bubbling Springs Solar, USA

Main-Stream-32

2.97 44.90 aluminium 0.50 selective paint fins roll bondparallel flow

Al frame screwingcompressed fibre glass (25.4)

yes 3.175 91 ASHRAE 93-2003 24 0.702 -4.32 -0.0138 15 647www. bubblingspringssolar.com

Calpak, Greece200GA 2.21 35.00 aluminium 0.50 Bluetec full laser n/a


riveting PU (30-35) yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.76 41 4.23 0.011 5 500www.calpak.gr

200G 2.21 50.50sandwich type steel

0.80 black paintfull / fully flooded

weldingfully flooded


riveting PU (30-35) yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.76 6.77 0.022 5 400

CD Solar, Italy SCT1024 2.24 47.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp 3 Al framestructural connec-tion with plastic corners

40 yes 3.2 91 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a www.cdsolar.it

Chiryu Heater, Japan

CSC2C 1.96 35.00 aluminium 0.40 blue fins ultrasonic n/a stainless steel frame riveting fibre glass (40) yes 3.2 92 JIS A1426, A4112 0.748 4.4 0.024 10 450www.chiryuheater.jp/en

#400 1.96 41.00 stainless steel 0.30 selective paint full seam welding n/a stainless steel frame riveting fibre glass (40) yes 3.2 86 JIS A4111 25 0.726 5.4 0.016 10 400

Chromagen, IsraelCR100 1.85 31.00 copper 0.20

black chrome/ selective paint

fins ultrasonic harpgalvanized steel frame + PP back sheet

bonding 50 PU (25) + glass wool (20)

yes 3.2 91 EN 12975 18 0.72 -3.7 -0.013 5 to 10 45 n/awww.chromagen.biz

PA-F 2.56 44.00 aluminium 0.40 Mirotherm full laser harp Al frame + PP back sheet rivetingPU (25) + glass wool ( 20)

yes 3.2 91 under process 26 0.76 -3.7 -0.01 5 to 10 45 n/a

CitrinSolar, Germany

CS 100 F 2.08 38.00 copper 0.20 Almeco-Tinox full ultrasonicdouble harp 4

Al frame + steel back sheet clinching rock wool yes 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 26 0.798 3.34 0.0075 10 n/a www.citrinsolar.de

Cordivari, Italy cs 2,5 2.50 43.00 copper 0.20 blue full ultrasonic harp Al trough riveting rock wool yes 4.0 89 EN 12975 0.798 41 4.1 0.011 5 n/a www.cordivari.it

Dimas, Greece SOL+2000 SA 2.00 37.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser harp Al frame bending rock wool (40) yes 4.0 90 EN12975 0.786 3.536 0.016 8 n/a www.dimas-solar.gr

Elcora, Cyprus n/a2.00 to 2.50

35.00 aluminium 0.50 blue 5 full laser n/a Al or alousin troughriveting or screwing

PS (20) + rock wool (40)

yes 3.2 / 4.0 92 EN 12975 0.65 n/a 0.016 5 n/a www.elcora-cy.com

EnerWorks, Canada

COL-4x8-NL-SG1-SH10

2.87 50.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander galvanized steel frame toggle lock 51 mineral wool yes 3.2 91CSA-F379, SRCC OG-100 27 0.7314 42 3.841 0.0129 10 733 www.enerworks.com

Ernst Schweizer, Switzerland

WTS-F1 K 3, K4

2.55 52.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full ultrasonic meander Al frame riveting mineral wool no 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.827 4.09 0.0055 10 n/awww.schweizer- metallbau.ch

ESE, Belgium Ecosol 2.32 2.32 48.00 copper 0.20 Arceo full ultrasonic meander galvanized steel frame n/a n/a yes 4.0 94 EN 12975 18 0.807 3.766 0.0059 10 807 www.ese-solar.com

Ezinç, TurkeySuperline L USB

2.28 41.00 copper 0.12 6 Bluetec fins ultrasonic harpAl frame + Al or synthetic back sheet

welding PU or mineral wool

yes 4.0 91.4 EN 12975 18 0.724 3.622 0.013 5 n/a www.ezinc.com.tr

Gasokol, Austria topSol UP 2.38 50.00 copper 0.20 blue full soldering harp wooden frame 29 screwing rock wool (50) no 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.816 4.122 0.011 10 n/a www.gasokol.at

G.M.P. engineering, Italy

TX250-20 0.45 10.50 aluminium 0.50 Sunselect full laser u-bend pipe Al frame / Al back sheet n/a rock wool (40) yes 4.0 n/a EN 12975 0.765 4.9 0.010 5 230 www.termocoppo.it

Grand Solar, Korea

GSOL-P20 2.30 38.60 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic harp Al trough 20 clampingpolyester with water glass (50)

yes (15 mm)

3.2 91.7 EN 12975 18 0.784 3.897 0.014 15 to 20 250 to 255www.grandsolar.co.kr

GSOL-D20 2.30 36.00 copper 0.12 black chrome full soldering harp Al frame clampingpolyester with water glass (30)

yes (10 mm)

3.2 91.7 KS B 8403 28 0.760 4.47 0.016 10 to 15 220 to 230

InterSolar, Greece A25S 2.50 47.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser harp Al frame + steel back sheet riveting rock wool (30) yes 4.0 88 EN 12975 18 0.78 4.58 0.025 5 500 www.intersolar.gr

Itho-Images, Netherlands

C25-Portrait 2.50 41.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander 34 Al trough 21 screwing glass wool (50) no 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.74 3.629 0.014 5 325 47 www.itho-images.nl

Jay Industries, India

Flat Plate 2.00 45.00 copper0.12 or 0.15

black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al frame / Al back sheet screwing rock wool yes 4.0 > 82 IS 12933 :2003 29 0.671 4.68 n/a 5 140 www.jaysolar.net

Jehin, KoreaJH-C 2.00 35.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full soldering meander Al trough riveting rock wool (35) yes 3.2 90 KS-B-8200:2006 30 0.79 5.18 n/a 2 257

www.jehin.co.krJH-D 2.00 40.00 aluminium 0.40 Bluetec full ultrasonic meander Al frame / Al back sheet

screwing + welding

synthetic resin (34)

yes 3.2 90 not tested n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

KBB, Germany K420-DH2.15 / 2.51

34.00 aluminium 0.50 Bluetec full laser double harp 7

Al frame riveting mineral wool (50) yes 3.2 91.0 EN 12975 18 0.801 3.65 0.0169 10 n/awww.kbb-solar.com, www.k4-collectors.com

Kioto, Austria FP1.20.0 LE sc 2.03 27.00 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec full laser harp Al frame welding, jamming PU no 3.2 89 under process 0.723 3.749 0.016 10 n/a www.kioto.com

Kotak Urja, IndiaKOTAKSUN 2.00 40.00 copper 0.17 black chrome fins ultrasonic

double meander


rock wool yes 4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.82 n/a n/a 1 190www.kotakurja.com

KOTAKSUN 2.00 38.00 aluminium 0.30 Bluetec fins clampingdouble meander


glass wool yes 4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.79 n/a n/a 1 175

Módulo Solar, Mexico

HITCI 2.00 32.00 copper 0.20 blue full ultrasonic harp Al frame screwing PU yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 0.79 n/a n/a 10 290 www.modulosolar.com.mx_CADOL 1.90 18.00 aluminium 0.40 black paint fins clamping harp galvanized steel frame screwing PU yes 6.0 38 87 NMX ES 001 0.70 n/a n/a 10 190

Nau, GermanySlimlineBlue-Energy

2.54 38.00 copper 0.20 Sunselect full soldering double harp Al frameriveting + clinching

rock wool (30) yes 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 18 0.805 3.59 0.0143 10 788 www.nau-gmbh.de

Nimrod Indust-ries, Israel

NIM25 2.50 42.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic harp Al frame jamming PU (23) yes 3 91 EN 12975 0.783 5 0.007 5 n/a www.nimrod-solar.com

Solar thermal




model

Collector surface

[m2]

Collector weight

[kg]

Absorber material

Absorber thickness


Absorber type 42




Side insula-

tion

Glass thickness

[mm]




n0 40


[W/m²·K]


[W/m²·K²]

Warranty [years]

Noncommittal gross final cus-tomer price [¤]

Website

Nobel, Greece APOLLON AL1.50 / 2.00 / 2.60

28.00 / 40.00 / 50.00

aluminium 8 0.40 Sunselect full laser double harp Al trough 22 n/a rock wool (60) yes 3.2 91 EN 12975 18 0.76 4.54 0.012 5 n/a www.nobel.gr

NRG, India NI 2.00 43.00 copper 0.15 black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al frame + aluminium back sheet 9screwing + silicon sealing

rock wool yes 4.0 87 not tested 0.65 4.75 n/a 15 145www.nrgtechnologists.com/nrg%20profile.htm

Papaemmanouel, Greece

BSF8680RS-2,37 m²

2.40 38.00 copper 0.12 blue 10 fins ultrasonic harp 14 Al frame + Al-zinc back sheet riveting 52 rock wool (35) yes 3.5 88 EN 12975 18 0.8 4.82 0.003 10 240www. papaemmanouel.gr

Rand Solar Energy Systems, Israel

RAL4S 2.70 11 53.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al framejamming + adhesive

PU (35) yes 4.0 91.2 EN 12975 0.818 4.208 0.014 5 n/a www.rand.co.il

Rotex, Germany V26P 2.60 12 42.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser harp Al frame stucking profiles rock wool no 3.2 92 EN 12975 26 0.794 31 3.64 0.0079 5 649 48 www.rotex-heating.com

Roth, Germany Heliostar 218 2.18 35.00copper/ aluminium

0.50 Sunselect full laser double harp synthetic trough n/a rock wool (60) n/a 3.2 91.6 EN 12975 18 0.792 3.67 0.0157 10 n/a www.roth-werke.de

Sammler Solar, Greece

ARIS2004 2.09 46.00 aluminium 0.50 Sunselect full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40) yes 4.0 > 87 EN 12975 18 0.786 3.62 0.021 10 n/a www.sammler.gr

Sigma, Greece S2 2.06 40.00 copper 0.12 blue 13 fins ultrasonic n/a galvanized steel frame welding rock wool (40) yes 4.0 95 EN 12975 18 0.71 4.47 0.016 6 n/a www.sigma-sa.com

Siko Solar, Austria

SUN2200 2.10 48.50 copper 0.20Almeco-Tinox, Blue-tec, Sunselect

full ultrasonic harp Al trough riveting + jamming rock wool (50) yes 3.2 / 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.758 3.771 0.012 10 598 48 www.solar.at

Solardome, South Africa

SPX3 S 3.00 49.20 copper 0.20 black chrome 13 fins ultrasonic harp Al frame / Al back sheet riveting 3 layered 36 yes 3.2 89 not tested n/a n/a n/a 5 487 48 www.solardome.co.za

Solahart, Aus-tralia

Kf 2.00 42.00 steel n/a black chrome full envelope type harp Al trough 23 n/a glass wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.799 3.8 0.018 5 n/a www.solahart.com

Bt 2.00 31.00 copper n/a Tinox full soldering harp Al trough 23 n/a glass wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.801 3.858 0.01 5 n/a www.solahart.com

Solarnor, Norway Solarnor1.20 to 3.60

10.00 polymers 10.00 none full extrusionfully flooded

n/a n/a n/a n/a 10 37 85 n/a 0.77 n/a n/a 10 300 www.solarnor.com

Solarfocus, Austria

CPC S1 2.80 55.00 copper 0.20 Tinox CPC fins ultrasonic double harp Al trough n/a not needednot needed

4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.741 3.311 0.012 10 1140 48

www. solarfocus.at Sunny28 2.80 50.00 copper 0.20 Tinox full ultrasonic double harp Al trough n/a rock wool (50) yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.768 3.426 0.0117 10 700 48

Solar Isi, Turkey40-100 1.82 32.00 aluminium 1.00 n/a fins clamping harp Al frame riveting glass wool (50) yes 4.0 86 EN 12975 n/a n/a n/a 5 n/a

www.isteksolar.com.tr40-400S 2.42 40.00 copper 0.12 Sunselect fins ultrasonic harp Al frame riveting rock wool (50) yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.724 3.6 0.014 5 n/a

SolarRoofs, USASkyline 10-01 / Skyline 20-01

0.9 / 1.88.62 / 17.24

aluminium or copper

n/a Crystal Clear fins forge welding n/a Al trough riveting + screwing PU yes 6.0 37 81SRCC, OG-100, OG-300

n/a n/a n/a 10 219 / 410 www.SolarRoofs.com

Sole, GreeceCLIMASOL 270 2.70 55.10 copper 0.20 Sunselect full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40)

yes (20 mm)

4.0 88.5 EN 12975 18 0.723 3.4 0.016 5 n/awww.eurostar-solar.com

NS 200 2.00 39.80 aluminium 0.40 black paint full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40) yes (20 mm)

4.0 88.5 EN 12975 18 0.726 6.2 0.020 5 n/a

Solimpeks, Turkey

WUNDER 2108 2.10 40.00 copper 0.12 / 0.20 Tinoxfin / H14 full

ultrasonic double harp Al frame riveting rock wool yes 4.0 94 EN 12975-2 0.751 4.999 0.000 10 n/a www.solimpeks.com

Sun Ray, France XL 2.00 28.00 aluminium n/a Black Master 33 full brazing harp Al trough n/apolyester wool (40)

yes 3.2 n/a CSTB 0.70 4.256 0.0456 10 n/a www.sun-ray.fr

Sunsiaray, USA NC-32 2.67 54.00 copper 0.2 Almeco-Tinox full n/a n/a Al frame screwingglass-reinforced PU

yes n/a 90.7Srcc 100-81 & ashrae 93-77

n/a n/a n/a 10 1355 www.sunsiaray.com

Sunway, Mexico SM-37V 1.90 35.00 copper 0.22 semiselective paint fins soldering harp Al frame / Al back sheet screwing rock wool no 3.2 / 4.0 n/a n/a 44 0.85 n/a n/a 10 183www.sunwaymx.com.mx

SunWin, Austria AF24VE2 2.38 38.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser double harp 7

Al frame / Al back sheet 15 welding rock wool (50) no 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 18 0.77 3.58 0.012 10 n/awww.sunwin-energy.com

Termicol, Spain T25S 2.40 39.00 copper 0.20 blue 13 fins ultrasonic harp Al frame stucking profiles rock wool (40) no 3.2 > 91 EN 12975 0.77 3.66 0.016 8 n/a www.termicol.es

Tisun, AustriaTiSUN module collector FM

2.37 46.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander Al frame laser welding n/a 40 yes 4.0 n/a EN 12975 18 0.79 3.75 0.0135 10 n/a www.tisun.com

Tuma, Brazil

CMT-5-12EX 2.00 38.00 aluminium 0.70 black paint fins clamping harp Al trough riveting glass wool (50) no 3.2 n/a EN 12975 0.737 6.444 0.028 5 ~300

www.tuma.com.brCMT-2-12E/HP 2.00 25.00 copper 0.20 black paint fins soldering harp Al trough riveting glass wool (50) no 3.0 n/a

ASHRAE 93, ASTM E-823, FSEC-GP-5, ABNT 10184 39

0.725 6.327 n/a 5 ~180

TWI, Czech Republic

T3 2.26 44.50 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic 17 harp Al frame riveting mineral wool (50)yes (20 mm)

4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.774 3.614 0.008 5 n/a www.twi.cz

Vaillant , GermanyauroTHERM plus VFK 150 V

2.51 38.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser meander Al frame / Al back sheet pressing 53 mineral wool no 3.2 96 EN 12975 18 0.842 2.31 0.049 5 n/a www.vaillant.com

Viessmann, Germany

Vitosol 100-F 2.51 48.00 copper 0.20 blue full laser meander Al framebending + crimping

rock wool no n/a 91 EN 12975 18 0.793 3.95 0.0122 5 n/a www.viessmann.de

Watt, Poland WATT 4000 S 2.07 39.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full soldering harp Al trough stucking profiles rock wool (50) yes 3.0 16 n/a EN 12975 18 0.845 4.06 0.0172 5 n/a www.watt.pl

Wolf, Germany F3-1 2.30 40.00 aluminium n/a Mirotherm full laser meander 13 Al trough n/a rock wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.804 3.235 0.0117 5 1,017.45www.wolf-heiztechnik.de

ZEN , NetherlandsZEN STC S 2800

2.75 55.00 copper 0.20 black chrome full soldering meander Al frame riveting glass wool (55) yes 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.7847 3.47 0.01572 10 884www.zenrenewables.com

From A to Z: Collectors from manufacturers all over the world Source: Manufacturer information

1 also model with ultrasonic welded aluminium harp absorbers; 2 also model with laser welded copper absorber; 3 also meander type; 4 al-so single harp type; 5 also black chrome type with fin absorber; 6 also 0.2 mm full plate type; 7 also meander type; 8 also model with copper absorber; 9 also trough type (single sheet); 10 also model with black paint coated absorber; 11 also model with 2.0 m2; 12 also model with 1.01 m2; 13 also black paint type; 14 double harp also available; 15 also wooden frame type for roof integration; 16 anti-reflex glass, also so-lar glass type; 17 also model with soldered absorber; 18 Solar Keymark label existing; 19 single part; 20 deep draw with mold; 21 pressed ca-sing; 22 Naval ; 23 marine grade; 24 SRCC certified; 25 JIS certified; 26 Solar Keymark testing in progress; 27 CSA, SRCC certified; 28 Kemco cer-



model

Collector surface

[m2]

Collector weight

[kg]

Absorber material

Absorber thickness


Absorber type 42




Side insula-

tion

Glass thickness

[mm]




n0 40


[W/m²·K]


[W/m²·K²]

Warranty [years]

Noncommittal gross final cus-tomer price [¤]

Website

Nobel, Greece APOLLON AL1.50 / 2.00 / 2.60

28.00 / 40.00 / 50.00

aluminium 8 0.40 Sunselect full laser double harp Al trough 22 n/a rock wool (60) yes 3.2 91 EN 12975 18 0.76 4.54 0.012 5 n/a www.nobel.gr

NRG, India NI 2.00 43.00 copper 0.15 black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al frame + aluminium back sheet 9screwing + silicon sealing

rock wool yes 4.0 87 not tested 0.65 4.75 n/a 15 145www.nrgtechnologists.com/nrg%20profile.htm

Papaemmanouel, Greece

BSF8680RS-2,37 m²

2.40 38.00 copper 0.12 blue 10 fins ultrasonic harp 14 Al frame + Al-zinc back sheet riveting 52 rock wool (35) yes 3.5 88 EN 12975 18 0.8 4.82 0.003 10 240www. papaemmanouel.gr

Rand Solar Energy Systems, Israel

RAL4S 2.70 11 53.00 copper 0.20 black chrome fins ultrasonic n/a Al framejamming + adhesive

PU (35) yes 4.0 91.2 EN 12975 0.818 4.208 0.014 5 n/a www.rand.co.il

Rotex, Germany V26P 2.60 12 42.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser harp Al frame stucking profiles rock wool no 3.2 92 EN 12975 26 0.794 31 3.64 0.0079 5 649 48 www.rotex-heating.com

Roth, Germany Heliostar 218 2.18 35.00copper/ aluminium

0.50 Sunselect full laser double harp synthetic trough n/a rock wool (60) n/a 3.2 91.6 EN 12975 18 0.792 3.67 0.0157 10 n/a www.roth-werke.de

Sammler Solar, Greece

ARIS2004 2.09 46.00 aluminium 0.50 Sunselect full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40) yes 4.0 > 87 EN 12975 18 0.786 3.62 0.021 10 n/a www.sammler.gr

Sigma, Greece S2 2.06 40.00 copper 0.12 blue 13 fins ultrasonic n/a galvanized steel frame welding rock wool (40) yes 4.0 95 EN 12975 18 0.71 4.47 0.016 6 n/a www.sigma-sa.com

Siko Solar, Austria

SUN2200 2.10 48.50 copper 0.20Almeco-Tinox, Blue-tec, Sunselect

full ultrasonic harp Al trough riveting + jamming rock wool (50) yes 3.2 / 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.758 3.771 0.012 10 598 48 www.solar.at

Solardome, South Africa

SPX3 S 3.00 49.20 copper 0.20 black chrome 13 fins ultrasonic harp Al frame / Al back sheet riveting 3 layered 36 yes 3.2 89 not tested n/a n/a n/a 5 487 48 www.solardome.co.za

Solahart, Aus-tralia

Kf 2.00 42.00 steel n/a black chrome full envelope type harp Al trough 23 n/a glass wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.799 3.8 0.018 5 n/a www.solahart.com

Bt 2.00 31.00 copper n/a Tinox full soldering harp Al trough 23 n/a glass wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.801 3.858 0.01 5 n/a www.solahart.com

Solarnor, Norway Solarnor1.20 to 3.60

10.00 polymers 10.00 none full extrusionfully flooded

n/a n/a n/a n/a 10 37 85 n/a 0.77 n/a n/a 10 300 www.solarnor.com

Solarfocus, Austria

CPC S1 2.80 55.00 copper 0.20 Tinox CPC fins ultrasonic double harp Al trough n/a not needednot needed

4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.741 3.311 0.012 10 1140 48

www. solarfocus.at Sunny28 2.80 50.00 copper 0.20 Tinox full ultrasonic double harp Al trough n/a rock wool (50) yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.768 3.426 0.0117 10 700 48

Solar Isi, Turkey40-100 1.82 32.00 aluminium 1.00 n/a fins clamping harp Al frame riveting glass wool (50) yes 4.0 86 EN 12975 n/a n/a n/a 5 n/a

www.isteksolar.com.tr40-400S 2.42 40.00 copper 0.12 Sunselect fins ultrasonic harp Al frame riveting rock wool (50) yes 4.0 91 EN 12975 18 0.724 3.6 0.014 5 n/a

SolarRoofs, USASkyline 10-01 / Skyline 20-01

0.9 / 1.88.62 / 17.24

aluminium or copper

n/a Crystal Clear fins forge welding n/a Al trough riveting + screwing PU yes 6.0 37 81SRCC, OG-100, OG-300

n/a n/a n/a 10 219 / 410 www.SolarRoofs.com

Sole, GreeceCLIMASOL 270 2.70 55.10 copper 0.20 Sunselect full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40)

yes (20 mm)

4.0 88.5 EN 12975 18 0.723 3.4 0.016 5 n/awww.eurostar-solar.com

NS 200 2.00 39.80 aluminium 0.40 black paint full laser harp Al frame / steel back sheet jamming rock wool (40) yes (20 mm)

4.0 88.5 EN 12975 18 0.726 6.2 0.020 5 n/a

Solimpeks, Turkey

WUNDER 2108 2.10 40.00 copper 0.12 / 0.20 Tinoxfin / H14 full

ultrasonic double harp Al frame riveting rock wool yes 4.0 94 EN 12975-2 0.751 4.999 0.000 10 n/a www.solimpeks.com

Sun Ray, France XL 2.00 28.00 aluminium n/a Black Master 33 full brazing harp Al trough n/apolyester wool (40)

yes 3.2 n/a CSTB 0.70 4.256 0.0456 10 n/a www.sun-ray.fr

Sunsiaray, USA NC-32 2.67 54.00 copper 0.2 Almeco-Tinox full n/a n/a Al frame screwingglass-reinforced PU

yes n/a 90.7Srcc 100-81 & ashrae 93-77

n/a n/a n/a 10 1355 www.sunsiaray.com

Sunway, Mexico SM-37V 1.90 35.00 copper 0.22 semiselective paint fins soldering harp Al frame / Al back sheet screwing rock wool no 3.2 / 4.0 n/a n/a 44 0.85 n/a n/a 10 183www.sunwaymx.com.mx

SunWin, Austria AF24VE2 2.38 38.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser double harp 7

Al frame / Al back sheet 15 welding rock wool (50) no 3.2 91.5 EN 12975 18 0.77 3.58 0.012 10 n/awww.sunwin-energy.com

Termicol, Spain T25S 2.40 39.00 copper 0.20 blue 13 fins ultrasonic harp Al frame stucking profiles rock wool (40) no 3.2 > 91 EN 12975 0.77 3.66 0.016 8 n/a www.termicol.es

Tisun, AustriaTiSUN module collector FM

2.37 46.00 aluminium 0.50 Mirotherm full laser meander Al frame laser welding n/a 40 yes 4.0 n/a EN 12975 18 0.79 3.75 0.0135 10 n/a www.tisun.com

Tuma, Brazil

CMT-5-12EX 2.00 38.00 aluminium 0.70 black paint fins clamping harp Al trough riveting glass wool (50) no 3.2 n/a EN 12975 0.737 6.444 0.028 5 ~300

www.tuma.com.brCMT-2-12E/HP 2.00 25.00 copper 0.20 black paint fins soldering harp Al trough riveting glass wool (50) no 3.0 n/a

ASHRAE 93, ASTM E-823, FSEC-GP-5, ABNT 10184 39

0.725 6.327 n/a 5 ~180

TWI, Czech Republic

T3 2.26 44.50 copper 0.20 Bluetec full ultrasonic 17 harp Al frame riveting mineral wool (50)yes (20 mm)

4.0 > 91 EN 12975 18 0.774 3.614 0.008 5 n/a www.twi.cz

Vaillant , GermanyauroTHERM plus VFK 150 V

2.51 38.00 aluminium 0.50 blue full laser meander Al frame / Al back sheet pressing 53 mineral wool no 3.2 96 EN 12975 18 0.842 2.31 0.049 5 n/a www.vaillant.com

Viessmann, Germany

Vitosol 100-F 2.51 48.00 copper 0.20 blue full laser meander Al framebending + crimping

rock wool no n/a 91 EN 12975 18 0.793 3.95 0.0122 5 n/a www.viessmann.de

Watt, Poland WATT 4000 S 2.07 39.00 copper 0.20 Bluetec full soldering harp Al trough stucking profiles rock wool (50) yes 3.0 16 n/a EN 12975 18 0.845 4.06 0.0172 5 n/a www.watt.pl

Wolf, Germany F3-1 2.30 40.00 aluminium n/a Mirotherm full laser meander 13 Al trough n/a rock wool yes 3.2 n/a EN 12975 18 0.804 3.235 0.0117 5 1,017.45www.wolf-heiztechnik.de

ZEN , NetherlandsZEN STC S 2800

2.75 55.00 copper 0.20 black chrome full soldering meander Al frame riveting glass wool (55) yes 3.2 92 EN 12975 18 0.7847 3.47 0.01572 10 884www.zenrenewables.com

tified; 29 BIS approved label; 30 FPC-04-003 label; 31 measured data, serial model currently in test; 32 also aluminium frame type; 33 patented paint; 34 one long pipe bended with fall for drain back principle; 35 with black glass fabric cover; 36 reflective foil on kraft paper + glass wool + polystyrene; 37 polycarbonate twin wall; 38 plastic glass; 39 Inmetro-Brazil certified; 40 collector data measured at G = 800 W/m2; 41 measured at G = 1,000 W/m2; measured at G = 900 W/m2; 42 full = full surface absorber; 43 ultransonic = ultrasonic welding, laser = laser welding; 44 tested at Florida Solar Energy Center; 45 depends on collector type and country stan-dard; 46 Italian market; 47depending on way to the market; 48 VAT excluded; 49 with back wall + 1 welding point for each angle; 50 adhesive to polyurethane insulation; 51 a form of riveting; 52 frame with only one connection; 53 automatic press with four corner bracket

Solar thermal



piece, folded in a rectangle and joined in one place by a process called toggle-lock or self-riveting”, says Florin Plavosin, Director of Applications Engi-neering from EnerWorks. The company also produc-es a collector with a patented overheat protection feature in the frame. “During stagnation, a temper-ature-activated spring opens up an air vent, which allows hot air from inside the collector to come out at the back top side of the collector. Cold air enters from the bottom and cools the back of the absorb-er”, explains Plavosin. This prevents the stagnation temperature from exceeding 125 °C, which almost entirely eliminates heat degradation of the propyl-ene glycol.

The trays used for tray collectors are generally made of aluminium. The Greek company Nobel Xil-inakis D. & Co and Solahart use trays that are partic-ularly corrosion-resistant in locations near the sea. Aluminium trays can be deep-drawn out of aluminium sheets with compression-tension. Another method is used by NRG Technologists Pvt Ltd. in India: “We make the collector out of a single aluminium sheet and then cut corners and weld the joints. It is a time consuming and labour-intensive process, but it gives an excellent finish”, explains Marketing Director Chaitanya Yardi. “The 1 mm back sheet gives a firm backing to the collector instead of the 0.5 mm sheet used by others. We also carry out in-house powder coating in order to keep the finish up to our set stand-ards.”

Roth Werke GmbH in Germany produces collec-tors with a plastic tray. The deep-drawn polycar-bonate tray is permanently resistant to corrosion – even with extreme air pollution and in aggressive maritime climates, said André Weigand from Roth. Moreover, Weigand added, “Polycarbonate is a good insulator, which means that our collectors also pro-vide optimum heat storage thanks to their thick-walled polycarbonate tray.”

The frame has a major impact on the appearance of the collector array on the roof. Nimrod Industries Ltd therefore has a collector in its range, “which in aesthetic terms is specially designed for red-tiled roofs”, reveals International Sales and Export Manag-er Mario Waisman. SolarRoofs.com Inc. from the USA has 26 trim colours in its range. The Greek company Sammler is also flexible: “The collectors are available in different colours depending on the OEM custom-er’s needs”, explains Export Manager Harry Michalo-poulos. Whereas Sammler concentrates on OEM cus-tomers, Viessmann offers its collectors directly to end users via specialist trade companies. Here too the customer has a free choice of frame colours.

And frames fulfil one other important function: they provide ventilation to remove condensation. “For our tecSol collector we use a double-walled frame to make free ventilation possible”, explains Erich Tem-per, Technical Product Management at Gasokol in Austria. Another example is provided by the Indian company Kotak Urja Pvt. Ltd: “There is a special drain hole built into the top locking angle/frame for mois-ture removal”, reports CEO K. Srinivas Kumar.

Handcraft still sets the stan-dard in collector production. Photo: Sole

Fig. 4: Although mineral wool is the most commonly used insulation material, plastic foams, often com-bined with mineral wool, are also frequently used. Source: manufacturer|s information

Insulation: Rock wool or PU?

Rock wool 53 %

Glass wool 19 %

PU 13 %

Polyester 3 %

PU + glass wool 3 %

PU + rock wool 2 %

PS + rock wool 2 %

PS + glass wool 2 %

None 2 %

Resin 2 %


Solar thermal absorbers

www.innovar.chOff ice Tel +41 26 684 10 87 Fax +41 26 684 16 28Factory Tel /Fax +41 26 684 32 08Studenmatt 14 CH-1791 Courtaman Switzer land

flexible production for your optimized design

Rock wool or PU?

In addition to the absorber coating, insulation also plays an important role in collector efficiency. Around half the companies use rock wool as thermal insula-tion material. A further 20 % rely on glass wool (see figure 4). The wool is generally 40 to 50 mm thick. Plastic insulation made of polyurethane is also fre-quently used (13 %). Because plastic has a limited temperature resistance, some manufactures have chosen to use multiple layers. For example, the insu-lation from Soladome SA in South Africa has three layers: first a reflective foil on kraft paper, followed by glass wool and finally an insulating layer of polysty-

rene. Grandsolar Co. L.T.D from South Korea insulates its collectors by combining polyester with water glass. “With this material there is no outgasing”, ac-cording to Duke Kim, Director of the Technology De-velopment Department.

One type of collector does not use any thermal in-sulation. The Austrian company Solarfocus GmbH produces a CPC flat-plate collector that has a CPC mir-ror inside it to focus the solar radiation on the copper tubing. The space between the mirror and the tubing acts as the insulation here. “That results in better performance and higher temperatures even if the ra-diation is incident at a flat angle to the collector”, says Birgit Gröbner from the Marketing Department.

The German company Citrin-Solar has used robots in its production line for several years. Photo: CitrinSolar

http://www.innovar.ch

Solar thermal


overviw of Standard collectorS

EPDM or silicone?

In terms of the efficiency of collectors, the glass cover is just as im-portant as the thermal insulation. Almost all companies use low-iron solar glass with a transmission of around 90 %. Standard thicknesses are 3.2 or 4 mm. Conventional glass with a transmis-sion of around 85 % is hardly used. With anti-reflective coatings, even better transmission of between 94 % and 96 % is achieved. But this glass is only used by a few manufacturers such as WATT sp. Z o.o. from Poland, ESE S.A. from Belgium and Vaillant from Germa-ny for the collectors presented here. Two companies also furnish collectors with plastic covers. A 6 mm thick polycarbonate twin wall is used by Solarroofs. The plastic glass used by Modulo Solar S.A. DE C.V. from Mexico is also 6 mm thick.

Typical frame collectors made of connected aluminium profiles Photo: Dimas

Glass cover: EPDM or silicone?

EPDM gasket 45 %

Adhesive / silicone 42 %

EPDM + silicone 3 %

Buthyl gasket 2 %

Others 1 %

Fig. 5: 45 % of the glass panes are sealed with EPDM gaskets. For 42 % of solar collectors, manufacturers use an adhesive. Source: manufacturer‘s information

http://www.sunpower-solar.com


Ultrasonic-weldingdevicesSemi-automatic or automatic production lines

Your profit:- Machine engineering on Swiss top qual i ty level- 15 years of experience in absorberproduct ion wi th u l trasonic systems

www.innovar.chOff ice Tel +41 26 684 10 87 Fax +41 26 684 16 28Factory Tel /Fax +41 26 684 32 08Studenmatt 14 CH-1791 Courtaman Switzer land

When it comes to fixing the glass panes, two tech-nologies dominate (see figure 5). One method is to seal the glass pane with EPDM rubber, while the oth-er standard method is bonding with silicone adhe-sive. Whereas EPDM sealing has to be done by hand, the silicone bonding can be automated and carried out by robots. EPDM is not enough to secure the glass pane on its own. The pane and frame are generally al-so joined with a cover. Calpak-Cicero, for example, uses two EPDM gaskets and silicone foam, and se-cures the joint by clamping it with an aluminium clip. Chromagen secures the EPDM-sealed pane with screwed clamping. Sun Ray also uses screws: “The glass is integrated with streamlined elements that are screwed to the frame,” explains Managing Direc-tor Williams Danger.

The various differences in the absorber coating, thermal insulation and glass have an impact on the collector characteristics (n0, a1, a2) that describe the performance of collectors. Collectors with blue coat-ings achieve an optical efficiency (average collector temperature = ambient temperature) between 0.72 and 0.82. This value can increase to 0.85 with anti-re-flective glass. Collectors coated with black-chrome achieve similar n0 values, while those with black paint can be around 0.72. The differences occur in terms of the heat loss coefficients (a1, a2), which de-termine the extent to which the efficiency curve drops as the temperature difference to the environment in-creases. Whereas the a1 value of collectors with blue coatings varies between 3 and 4, with black-chrome models it is between 4 and 5, and with black paint collectors the a1 value is 6. The quadratic heat loss coefficient a2 only becomes significant with greater temperature differences and describes the fall of the efficiency curve that is no longer linear in this area.

However, a particularly efficient collector does not necessarily mean it is best suited for the job in hand. Durability and application are just as impor-tant. For example, if you want to heat water at lati-

Robots are being increa-singly used for producing collectors. Photo: Aristonthermo

tudes with high solar radiation, collectors with blue coatings are not necessarily the best option. This is because if the high-performance collectors generate more heat than can be used, which leads to long stag-nation phases and unnecessary, severe stress on the solar thermal system. On the other hand, a slightly less efficient collector will not become so hot when idling and will idle less frequently.

Conversely, if solar heat is used for cooling or in-dustrial processes, one needs higher temperatures. In this case collectors with blue coatings are also beneficial in sunny regions. But of course what mat-ters most of all is the cost-performance ratio. Al-though a basic collector can be purchased for less than €200, a high-performance collector costs up to €1,000 in Europe.

Jens-Peter Meyer

http://www.innovar.ch

Documents

An absorber, a frame, a glass pane: the basic components of a solar