Flat Plate Type Solar Collector Performance Using Double Thermal Insulation

Abstract

Abstract Indonesia is a country that has a huge potential of solar radiation energy since it is located in the equator. This causes Indonesia to have a tropical climate and receives almost the same emission of solar radiation throughout the year. National average solar energy potential is 16 MJ/day. This energy potential can be used as a source of thermal energy. To improve the energy potential, a research performance is done by using double thermal insulation solar collectors so that the energy can be received optimally. One alternative that is used is adding Styrofoam and Polyurethane which are installed on all sides of the collector except the upper side. Styrofoam and Polyurethane have 3 cm thickness and low thermal conductivity value therefore it is able to isolate the energy inside the solar collector. This experiment was done in a day with energy coming at the test reached 8,798,634 j/m2 with 69% efficiency level.