The flat-plate solar collector is the most commonly used device for the direct utilization of solar energy, but its applicability in some places is still debatable. The performance of the solar collector varies with changes in environmental and operational conditions. In this thesis the performance ice of a flat-plate solar collector was examined in order to determine the feasibility of utilizing solar energy s an alternative energy resource for residential water and space heating purposes in East Central Indiana.Various environmental and operational data pertinent to the performance of the solar collector were collected over a period of 76 days (March 26 through June 10). Analysis of the data showed that the efficiency of the collector varies with changes in climatic and operational conditions. Negative relationships were observed between efficiency and fluid inlet temperature, wind speed, cloud cover and precipitation, while relationships between the collector efficiency and ambient temperature, solar radiation and fluid flow rate were found to be positive. Further analysis of the collector performance findings and the average energy consumption in i-iuncie, Indiana produced encouraging evidence for the utilization of solar energy for residential crater heating and space heating purposes in the area.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/181958 |
| Date | 03 June 2011 |
| Creators | Tecle, Aregai |
| Contributors | Lowe, B. Thomas |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | xiii, 114 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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