National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources

Solar Collectors

Solar collectors are devices used to convert energy from solar radiation into heat. The operation of solar collectors consists of capturing sunlight through an absorber located inside the collector, which absorbs the rays and converts them into heat.

The heat transfer fluid, known as the heating medium (usually a non-freezing solution of propylene glycol), heats up and flows through the absorber, then is directed to a special storage tank containing domestic water, which is heated using the heat from the heating medium. The heating medium then cools down and returns to the solar collector.

Solar collectors are used, among other applications, in households for the needs of residents. The energy produced in this way is primarily used for heating domestic water.

Solar systems can also be used in hotels, guesthouses, holiday resorts, swimming pools, as well as in agriculture and manufacturing plants.

Solar collectors can be used throughout the year, but they are most efficient from spring to autumn, during months when solar radiation is at its highest.