It is possible to emphasize that, although the words plates, panels, modules and collectors are used like synonymous, exist some differences among them. The advantage of the solar energy is made mainly by means of two deeply different procedures: one is the electricity generation, whereas the other is the accumulation of the heat; for the first case, the modules, plates or photovoltaic panels are used , whereas to the advantage of the heat, we have the solar collectors that, obvious, they are constructed with a technology very different from the previous ones. We happened to detail the different types from collectors.

Photovoltaic modules or plates

Within a photovoltaic installation, the known component is the plate, module or solar panel, that use certain semiconducting materials and catch photons transmitted in the solar light to transform them into an electron DC, that is to say, in electricity.

These materials are arranged in sets of cells, interconnected in series or parallel and protected by a glass in the superior part and by several plastic layers in the later part, all reinforced it by means of a metallic frame. In the later part are pertinent the electrical connections.

Three main types of modules exist, based on the material that forms the cells:

• a. amorphous materials: they have a high degree of disorder in the structure of atoms. Its construction is simple and cheap.
• b. policristalinos materials: they have more quality than the previous ones, reason why its effectiveness is greater. Also they are more expensive.
• c. monocrystalline materials: they are those of greater quality, although in the last years almost they have been reached about new patents of policristalinos, and at the present time its yield is single slightly superior.

Solar collectors for thermal energy

The more common solar collectors are the flat denominated ones. They are constituted by an absorbent plate, that must be dark to have the maximum index of heat absorption and the minimum of reflection, that is to say, to take advantage of to the maximum the energy rays of the sun and to diminish the losses.

Soldered to the plate, a coil of copper tubes warms up itself with the heat that transmits the plate to him and that, next, warms up the liquid that flows by its inside. These elements are protected by a very resistant crystal, to support a good hailstorm, and with low iron content to have the maximum index of transparency (smaller losses by reflection and absorption).

All the set is perfectly isolated, with polyurethane or fiber glass, to reduce the losses to the maximum.

It is possible to mention that the fluid that circulates on the inside of the coil is antifreeze and nonwater, as it could seem, thus protecting the receiver of possible frosts.

Solar collectors of vacuum tubes

The solar collectors of emptiness include an innovation: the emptiness in the space has become that is left between the protective crystal and the absorbent surface. With this change obtains to eliminate losses by convection internal, since internally there is no air that can transfer them, and to increase therefore to the temperature of work and the yield.

The form of these receivers no longer is flat, but cylindrical, since it allows to carry out better the emptiness in his interior. In addition, the collectors of vacuum tubes allow to the integration of cylindrical-parabolic concentrators (CPC) with which is able themselves to improve the yield during the stations which the solar rays do not affect the optimal angle.

Also they allow to adapt better to those cases in that the optimal inclination or direction cannot be placed to, where the flat panels would have very little yield. This property does that the receivers of vacuum tube CPC can integrate themselves perfectly to the architecture.

Thermosiphonic solar collector

If it is wanted to save to the maximum in hot water production the sanitary, the themosponic equipment does not consume electrical energy, since they work without pump.

This capacity helps to diminish the power consumption of a house and turns to the equipment independent: they continue working although the electrical system fails.

The fact of being independent makes its application in those remote places very attractive where the mains does not arrive. Thus, hot water can be produced although the group generator ELT is disconnected.

Principle of operation

The termosifónicos equipment works by gravity. The sun warms up the fluid that is in its interior, this one increases of temperature diminishing its density and flows towards the superior part, leaving the fluid coldest occupies its place to warm up itself.

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