Home Calculate produced hot water Calculate other data Required Lumens and Watts
UL (Overall Heat Loss Coefficient): This parameter represents the rate of heat loss from the solar collector to the surrounding environment. It combines the effects of conduction, convection, and radiation and is typically measured in watts per square meter per degree Celsius (W/m²·°C). Ambient Temperature: Radiation: In the context of solar collectors, radiation refers to the solar energy received per unit area. It is measured in units such as watts per square meter (W/m²) and is crucial for calculating the potential energy that can be harnessed by the solar collector. This is the temperature of the air surrounding the solar collector. It affects the efficiency of the solar collector since higher ambient temperatures can reduce heat loss from the collector to the environment. UL (Overall Heat Loss Coefficient): This parameter represents the rate of heat loss from the solar collector to the surrounding environment. It combines the effects of conduction, convection, and radiation and is typically measured in watts per square meter per degree Celsius (W/m²·°C). The efficiency of a solar collector is the ratio of the useful thermal energy output to the solar energy input. It indicates how effectively the collector converts incident solar radiation into usable heat. Thermal Load: This is the amount of heat energy required to be provided by the solar collector to meet the heating demand. It is influenced by the system's design, the collector area, and the climatic conditions.

Solar Collector Calculator

Flat-plate collector

Vacuum collector

Collector with integrated storage

Calculate data for solar collector. Use defalt values in input dropdowns or enter your own. These formulas are using many theories and physics laws. Please consider that we have not consider wind and other losses. These calculations can be wrong.

If you are entering you data please use number format with dot, for example (4.5 or 5.0)

By selecting the city we are calculating monthly average temperature and radiation.
Please enter Efficency of your collector or use our data.
We will use our data to get collector efficency. You can enter your data.
Please enter your UL or use our data.
We will use our data to get Heat Loss Coefficient. You can enter your data.
Please enter size of collector in m2 or use our data.
We will use our data to get Collector area. You can enter your data.
Monthly average transmittance - absorptance product. Please enter (τα) or use our data.
We will use our data to get dimensionless coefficient. You can enter your data.
Please enter temperature temperature or use our data.
We will use our data to get Temperature of Heated Water (T1). You can enter your data.
Please enter Hot Water Consumption for four member family or use our data (V)
Hot Water Consumption for four member family L/day. You can enter your data.
Temperature of entering water to solar Collector( ussually 15°C):
Hot Water entering water temperature to solar collector for four member family or use our data °C .

Calculate solar collector calculation(calculate other data)

Select the average temperature for a specific city and month.
Choose the average monthly solar radiation for a given country.
Enter the heat loss coefficient of your solar collector.
Select the thermal load in kWh per square meter.
Choose the desired temperature of the water in degrees Celsius.
Enter the efficiency percentage of your solar collector.
Enter the absorption coefficient percentage of your solar collector.
Select the area of your solar collector in square meters.

Result for:

Result:

Heat losses: Heat losses (U-value) for solar collectors usually range from 3 to 8 W/m²K. This depends on the quality of the collector insulation. Heat load (J): The heat load depends on the system specification, but is usually expressed in units of kWh per year per square meter of collector (kWh/m²). Desired water temperature: For household needs, the temperature of hot water usually ranges from 45°C to 60°C. Collector efficiency: Collector efficiency (η) varies, but typically ranges between 40% and 70% for plate collectors, while vacuum tube collectors can have efficiencies up to 80%. Absorption coefficient: The absorption coefficient (α) is usually greater than 90%. For superior absorbers it can be up to 95% or more. Collector surface: The surface of the collector depends on the required amount of energy. Typical dimensions of individual collectors are around 2 to 4 m² for plate collectors, while vacuum tube collectors have an area of ​​1.5 to 3 m² per module.