Radiation collection by an optimized fixed collector

Abstract A model for determining, on the average, the angular distribution and intensity of solar radiation at the site of a solar collector as a function of the irradiance on a horizontal surface and the time of day and year is presented. The model is then used to study radiation collection by a collector whose design has been approximately optimized. The variation of radiation collection by this collector with changes in the clearness index KT, operating temperature, ambient temperature, acceptance angle, tilt angle, selective absorber properties and window reflection is studied. This indicates how to further optimize the collector design. The performance of this optimized collector is then compared with that of other existing fixed collector designs.