Varieties and technical characteristics of solar collectors

Background. Energy resource is one of the main components of a successful country. The possibility of using environmentally clean and affordable renewable energy and creating systems for taking solar radiation is a priority in ensuring the economic energyindependence of the state. At present, there are a variety of solar systems according to the technical solution and their use: thermo- and photovoltaic, systems with metal absorbers, solar stations for industrial or private electricity generation, for hot water supply, heating, air conditioning, and other technological needs. But questions about effective insolation and the choice of materials for these systems remainopen. Therefore, the development of efficient solar collectors (SC) with a rational choice of their geometric and thermophysical parametersis absolutely relevant.Objective.The purpose if the paper is to explore and develop efficient devices with maximum absorber throughput and minimization of heat loss.Methods. Analysis of developments of solar collectors by their shape and technical characteristics.Results. According to the review, new developments of solar collectors are marked by the originality and novelty of the technical solution. Corrugated pipe, cellular polycarbonate, activated carbon, a tangle of heat-conducting wire are usedas the absorber material,and the additional heat-accumulating coating – a solution of Glauber’s salt is applied. The inventions can be used in heating and hot water supply systems, indoor air heating, and in equipment that converts electromagnetic radiation from the sun into thermal energy for heating liquid coolants, as well as into electrical energy. For the maximum power of the collector, a receiving surface with a coating of high solarenergy capacity is used and thermal insulation is additionally installed to minimize heat loss. The authors of the article developed and patented a fundamentally new geometric spherical SC.Conclusions. The creation of new and improvement of existing SC ensures energy independence both in the private sector and nationwide, as well as to take care of the environment.The spherical shape allows you to use it effectively during the day.