Exergy Analysis for the Performance of Solar Collectors

The optimum control and performance evaluation of solar collectors are analyzed from the standpoint of exergy. The pressure drop inside the collector is introduced to the analysis using the Hottel-Whillier model. By treating the friction process as exergy loss, the optimum operating conditions are presented in a simple statement. The maximum capability of collectors is determined and expressed by a relationship among the collector parameters and the environment in which they operate.