Flat plate solar collectors vs evacuated tube solar collectors
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What's the difference between flat plate and evacuated tube solar collectors, and which is better?
The short answer is that evacuated tube solar collectors are better than flat plate collectors. Why?
- Evacuated tube collectors have a greater surface area exposed to the sun so capture more sunlight.
- Transfer more heat to the water
- Can be used in places where freezing temperatures are experiences (no worrisome expanding and contracting of water)
- Tubes are easily replaced if broken, and are durable
- Work better than flat plate solar collectors when it's overcast or cloudy
- Take up less space on your roof
- Don't corrode as easily as flat plate collectors
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I would like to know where you got your figures from? Obviously paid by someone to post these comments. You say that evacuated tubes have a greater surface area, thats simply because the panel is bigger but in terms of solar gain, it is less efficient. Evacuated tubes are also less efficient when it is cloudy and are far less efficient during colder months. They also take up MORE space on the roof so how can they have a greater surface area and take up less room on the roof....??? Finally they are easy to replace when broken however the chances of breaking a tube is at a greater risk due to the tubes being very delicate whereas the flat plate is very stirdy and will last atleast 25 years.
over a year ago by Kelvin -
Hi Kelvin
over a year ago by liz_brock
Sadly, we're not paid by anyone to write these articles, and do them purely to support our customer's knowledge. Best intentions at all times, I promise!
On the first point, evacuated tube collectors can take up less space than flat panel collectors on the roof and still have a larger surface area, because more of the surface area is 'working'. According to our sources, this wasn't the case when evacuated tube collectors were new technology but is in newer models today. Also, it was pointed out in a few articles that because the tubes are cylindrical they have a greater surface area and can also absorb direct light for more of the sun's travels through the sky.
In terms of sources, we used a variety of web-based information plus a study by the University of NSW http://tinyurl.com/3x7f5sk. We try not to use Wikipedia but had we looked there, we would have been more aware of the heated debate about this topic and probably been less quick to make a decision either way - or at least tried to present both sides and then deciding. The vast majority of information out there does support the info we've put forward.
You're clearly someone who has a differing opinion and if you'd like to write up a full comparison we'd be happy to accept more comment.
At the very least the debate does support the idea that to make the right decisions for your home, wherever in Australia it may be, it's best to speak to a professional before deciding either way.
Kind regards
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