ENGINEERING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT Jelgava, 28.-29.05.2009. 176 INVESTIGATIONS OF AIR SOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY

Abstract. In 2005 in the research laboratory equipment for experimental research into the materials of solar air collectors was built for research purposes. The construction of the equipment allows simultaneous comparative studies of materials and types. The experimental data are metered and recorded in the electronic equipment REG. Covered material polystyrol with absorbers steel-tinplate and black colored wood was researched in relation to others and location at different places of absorber. The ambient air worming degree at a stationary and sun following air collector with an equal coating surface and absorbers is compared. The air heating degree T in the solar collector is dependent on solar radiation I, air velocity v, type and place of absorbers. In the experimental equipment, with dimensions 10x50x100 cm, the air got hot to T = 6 °C in stationary positions with steel-thin plate and sun following position it rose to T = 10 °C at the velocity v = 0.55 m/s. On the supposition that the heating degree of air in the collector is linear dependent on sun radiation, expressions of this relation with different absorber materials of the sun following collector are found. Key words: sun radiation, air temperature, polystyrol