Collector (Solar Thermal)

A device, also called a ‘panel’, which collects the sun’s energy and converts it into a more usable form.

Typically, a system circulating fluid (water or antifreeze) transfers the heat from the collector to the domestic hot water cylinder (often referred to as a tank).

The two main types of collector are ‘flat plate’ and ‘evacuated tube’. The latter system performs particularly well in colder climates: the vacuum within the tube limits the loss of heat (which, without a vacuum, would occur through convection and conduction) to the surrounding environment, allowing it to reach higher temperatures.

More information can be found here: LaZer2 Solar Thermal Collectors