Ageing Resistance of Solar Collectors

We present in this paper the successive steps of a study on durability of solar collectors. The work initiated on the material point of view led to define specific durability tests for the components working in severe conditions. But, the necessity of a different approach considering the whole collector appeared rapidly. The results of a program of durability inspections on real installation and the knowledge we obtained during the french qualification procedure on solar collectors were used to assess a set of qualification tests and ageing process on the whole collector. This permits to apreciate the aptitude of the collector to satisfy its functionnal requirements along its service life.