What is the difference between a flat plate and an evacuated tube solar hot water collector panel?
These two different types of collector panels both capture energy from the sun to heat water, but they do this in different ways. Flat plate collectors work on copper pipes running through a glass covered collector which gets hot as the sun shines on it. The hot water can then thermo-siphon itself in and out of a connected hot water tank (usually also on the roof), thus heating the water. Evacuated tube collectors use a glass tube with a vacuum inside it and copper pipes running through the centre. The copper pipes are all connected to a common manifold which is then connected to a slow flow circulation pump which pumps water to a storage tank below, thus heating the hot water during the day. Because of the pump the storage tank can be further away from the collector panel. Evacuated tube collectors are also preferable in frost-prone regions.
Related Questions
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