Title

Indoor testing using a large area solar simulator

Abstract

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is developing the capability for indoor testing of solar water heaters to complement its existing outdoor testing facility. While indoor testing adds a degree of repeatability to the process of collector testing, these tests also present a number of new challenges to be overcome. Chief among these is obtaining a high degree of correlation between indoor and outdoor test results. This paper will discuss the process of specifying and evaluating a solar simulator facility, starting with the selection of a solar simulator design, through the installation and operation of the completed facility. Also included will be an in-depth analysis of the simulator design specifications, selection of support equipment, dissipation of excess heat, environmental considerations, and use of a mobile tracking platform that is compatible with both indoor and outdoor tests. This paper will also present the results of some preliminary tests. Finally, the possibility of modification to the solar simulator for testing photovoltaic and other innovative uses of the solar simulator will be explored.

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Publication Title

International Solar Energy Conference

Number of Pages

297-304

Document Type

Article

Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

0030655881 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0030655881

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