Transpired Solar Collector Systems: A Major Advance in Solar Heating

Active solar heating systems have traditionally been among the most cost-effective solar energy applications, but their delivered energy costs have still been too high to promote wide-scale market acceptance. The transpired solar collector, a revolutionary new design for heating outside air, represents a major improvement in cost, performance, and reliablity. A collaborative effort involvingConserval Engineering, inc., the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Natural Resources Canada has resulted in the establishment of the fundamental operating theory, the development of computer design models, and the verification of field performance. This paper reviews the basic principles of operation, the R&D effort to develop it, typical cost and performancefigures, design considerations, and experience with the rapidly growing field installations.