Using the irradiance values from the Data Acquisition section the estimated power of the solar collector panel was calculated. The following graphs illustrate the results and demonstrate the varying power outputs of a solar flat plate collector.

From the Beginners guide we used the equation to calculate the useful power supplied by collector (W)
Qs = GA(tc.ap) - UA(Tc - Ta)

It was assumed that every morning the water in the collector started at 4 C - typical mains cold-water temperature.

These graphs illustrate again the average power output over monthly periods it demonstrates the large range of power outputs that can result from solar collectors -

Highest power output - 2033Wh (watts per hour) on the 11th March

Lowest output - At night the system actually losses heat, this can actually start to happen late in the afternoon as the irradiance levels start to fall.

Summary

The peak power outputs have been highlighted to illustrate that at some points during the day solar collectors are very useful at providing water heating that would usually be heated by traditional gas central heating.

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