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The effect of colour on the thermal performance of building integrated solar collectors

Abstract
The use of solar collectors with coloured absorbers for water heating is an area of particular interest when considering their integration with buildings. By matching the absorber colour with that of the roof or façade of the building, it is possible to achieve an architecturally and visually pleasing result. Despite the potential for the use of coloured absorbers, very little work has been undertaken in the field. In this study, the thermal performance of a series of coloured (ranging from white to black), building integrated solar collectors for water heating was examined both theoretically and experimentally. Subsequently, the annual solar fraction for typical water heating systems with coloured absorbers was calculated. The results showed that coloured solar collector absorbers can make noticeable contributions to heating loads. Furthermore, although their thermal efficiency is lower than highly developed selective coating absorbers, they offer the advantage of improved aesthetic integration with buildings.
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Anderson, T.N., Duke, M. & Carson, J.K. (2010).The effect of colour on the thermal performance of building integrated solar collectors. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 94(2), 350-354.
Date
2010
Publisher
Elsevier
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
This is an author’s accepted version of an article published in the journal: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier B.V.