Research in solar energy at the 'Politehnica' university of Timisoara: Studies on solar radiation and solar collectors

Abstract

A short overview of a more than 30 years long history and results of research and thermal applications of solar energy at the 'Politehnica' University of Timisoara, Romania, are presented. The main directions approached are: actinometry, studies on materials and greenhouse effect, thermal collectors, industrial and home thermal applications, computer simulation of physical phenomena, and concentrators. This paper focuses on the conception and building of a dedicated laboratory and on the experimental results that allowed the development of industrial and home applications.