Principles of Solar Thermal Energy Teaching Equipment

Principles of Solar Thermal Energy is designed as a functional demonstration and teaching system for studying the fundamental principles of solar thermal energy conversion. The system enables practical investigation of solar radiation, heat absorption, temperature variation and heat transfer in a solar thermal circuit.

The setup incorporates an adjustable flat collector with interchangeable absorbers having different coatings, allowing comparison of their thermal performance. A lighting unit with 16 halogen bulbs provides a controllable source of simulated solar radiation. The collector spacing and inclination can be adjusted for investigating the influence of collector positioning on energy absorption.

A solar circuit with a pump and variable flow is connected to a hot water storage tank equipped with a tube-coil heat exchanger and electrical auxiliary heater. Sensors measure temperature and illuminance during experiments. The system supports data acquisition and analysis through connected workstations using LAN/WLAN or USB.

Designed and manufactured by Atico Export to meet the practical requirements of modern technical education laboratories.

Flat Collector :

• Absorber with selective coating
• Absorber with blackened coating
• Absorbing surface: 320 × 330 mm
• Inclination angle: 0…60°

Lighting Unit :

• Lamp field: 16 × 75 W halogen bulbs

Pump :

• Adjustable flow rate: 0…24 L/h

Measuring Ranges :

• Temperature: 4 × 0…100 °C
• Flow rate: 0…30 L/h
• Illuminance: 0…3 kW/m²

Power and Electrical :

• Mains connection: 230 V, 50 Hz, 1 phase

• Functional demonstration model of a solar thermal system
• Lighting unit with 16 halogen bulbs
• Adjustable collector spacing and inclination
• Two replaceable absorbers with different coatings
• Parabolic trough collector available as an accessory
• Solar circuit with pump and variable flow
• Hot water storage tank with tube-coil heat exchanger
• Electrical auxiliary heater
• Sensors for measuring temperature and illuminance
• Network capability for observing, acquiring and analyzing experiments from multiple workstations
• LAN/WLAN connectivity
• Data acquisition via USB
• Suitable for practical investigation of solar thermal energy principles