Optimization of the Hose-Based Low-Cost Solar Collector

Abstract

The performance of solar collectors based on plastic hoses is noticeably improved by using a thermal-hydraulic modeling experimentally validated. This model allows us to optimize the main parameters of collector (length and diameter of hoses, tilt angle and number of glazing covers) for different climatic conditions. This way, was proposed an innovative design that could works well in temperate locations and that costs fifty dollars for a single family self-construction unit.