Solar test Jig

I have been working on a test jig to allow me to mount and compare different solar thermal collectors of a standard 48x24" size in a tracking configuration.

I finally rolled it out of the garage today. The motor drive and the collectors are not yet mounted but the frame is pretty much finished.

This jig will allow me to compare two different collectors. The jig will have two independent insulated water circulation systems represented in the picture by the two coolers which will hold two same volume batches of water and two immersion pumps. By measuring and comparing the outlet temperatures, I will be able to quantify which collector is better at converting sunlight into heated water.

I will provide more details as the project progresses.

You can click on any of the pictures on my blog to see enlarged versions. The blue in the first picture is a tarp over the woodpile in the background, nothing to do with the solar test jig.

Thank you for your interest in my work.

Index - Comparing concentrator to flat plate solar collector