Solar Dictionary: Solar Pool Heating Terms
Absorber the plate in a solar hot water collector or pool collector that converts solar radiation to heat energy. Generally matte black or selective surfaces on copper.
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Absorptance the ratio of energy absorbed by a surface relative to the energy striking it. Thermal collectors have high absorptive coatings resulting in absorptance of .95 to .98
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Ambient Temperature temperature of the surrounding outside air
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Angle Of Incidence the angle at which solar radiation strikes a surface (collector).
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Array a group of thermal collectors or photovoltaic modules organized to produce a desired amount of energy.
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Balance of System Components all components of a solar system other than the actual array (includes everything from design costs through installation and service/maintenance).
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British Thermal Unit (BTU) the quantity of heat needed to raise 1 pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit. 8¾ BTU's will raise 1 gallon of water 1°
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Collector (Solar Collector) device that collects solar radiation and converts it to heat
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Collector Efficiency the radio of usable heat energy extracted from a collector to the solar energy striking the cover
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Conduction heat flow in any direction due to temperature variations within a material
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Convection the motion of a fluid by which heat may be transported. See also 'Thermosyphoning', 'Conduction', and 'Radiation'
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Emittance a measure of the propensity of material to radiate energy to its surroundings. Solar collectors have low emissivity coatings.
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
FSEC Florida Solar Energy Center, organization that provides research, testing, and certification of solar thermal collectors and systems
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Galvanic Corrosion condition caused as a result of a conducting liquid making contact with two different metals which are not properly isolated
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Header tubes running horizontally across the bottom and top of absorber plates. See also 'Risers'
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Heat Exchanger a device, such as a copper coil, immersed in a tank or tube of water, used to transfer heat from one fluid to another
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Hybrid System often referring to solar pool heating, is a system which uses solar collectors in addition to a conventional heater
Solar Pool Heat
Insolation the total amount of solar radiation - direct, diffused, and reflected - striking a surface exposed to the sky
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat Solar Electric
Magnetic South the direction on a compass pointing due-South, away from the North Pole.
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NABCEP North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals, organization providing certification of solar installers
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Orientation the direction that a solar array faces with regard to magnetic directions (N, E, S, W).
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat Solar Electric
Racking (rails) the components used to secure a domestic hot water, pool, or photovoltaic system in place; can be ground, deck, roof or pole mounted depending on the application and the orientation of available space.
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Radiation the flow of energy across open space via electromagnetic waves, such as visible light
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Risers tubes that run vertically, inside the absorber plate, between the headers.
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Solar Index the ratio of measured solar radiation to an expected number if the sky is clear, with an average clear sky day being 100%
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Solar Noon the time the sun crosses the meridian of the site, this is the highest point the sun gets in a day. Also referred to as Solar South
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Solar South see 'Solar Noon'
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SRCC Solar Rating and Certification Committee. Organization that rates collector and system performance.
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Standby Heat Loss heat lost through storage and piping, even when not hot water is used
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Thermistor an electric device which changes its resistance based upon temperature
Solar Domestic Hot Water Solar Pool Heat
Tilt Angle the angle a collector or module surface forms with the horizon
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