EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON A FLAT PLATE COLLECTOR ASSISTED FOR SOLAR WATER HEATING UNIT

The aim of the study was to develop Flat Plate Collector (FPC) from the locally available material in the market for the purpose of solar water heating. The efficiency of the collector was tested with the normal flow of water under ambient temperatures of 25 degrees C for the consequently months of the year. The efficiency was noted 36.97% and 37.29% with the highest amount of absorbing solar irradiance from 4580 kJ.m(-2). hr(-1) and 4365 kJ.m(-2). hr(-1) for the month of June and July respectively. Results showed that the efficiency was increased significantly with the increasing of zenith and azimuth angle of the sun. From the results it was clearly showed that the collector gives maximum heated water from 16930 to 16277 l/month respectively due to the greater sun rays falling on the collector. It was observed from the experimental results, that water heated at a very fast rate with the highest amount of solar irradiance absorption with the highest efficiency of the collector and proves that FPC was the best technique to be used for the purposes of water heating.