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Flat plate collectors come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and configurations. This type of collectors represent a good model for understanding the energy balance and system performance.The basic principle of absorbing as much solar radiation as possible (via black absorptive surfaces) while minimizing losses to the surrounding environment as much as possible (via glazing surfaces, insulation, and vacuum tubes) can be accomplished by various technologies trading off the level of performance and material and manufacturing costs. Being able to discern between flat plate technologies for different applications and locales based on the underlying physics is a valuable skill to have.
Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 3 tasks!
Please double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 3 Introduction page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 4.