how does a solar hot water heater work, with a silver reflector?
Image by AIDG
2 earlier prototypes of the UCB solar water heater
Question by fashionaddict: how does a solar hot water heater work, with a silver reflector?
a solar hot water heater using a semi-circular shiny, silvered reflector.
how does it work? where would you place it for maximum efficiency?
Can you help? Leave your own answer in the comments!
2 Responses to how does a solar hot water heater work, with a silver reflector?
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That “semi-circular” mirror has a focal point.
Place the object to be heated at the focal point.
The exact focal point location with depend on whether the mirror is parabolic or spherical, as parabolas and spheres are geometrically different.
Heating is accomplished by concentrating the incident solar radiation (visible plus infrared light) of the collector onto the focal point. Same concept as burning ants with a magnifying glass.
Steve W
April 3, 2012 at 1:04 pm
it gathers energy from the sun and converts it into electricity.. hope this helps
Jonathan
April 3, 2012 at 1:34 pm