Performance Assessment of Flat Plate Solar Collector Based on Energy and Exergy Analyses Method
Wanich Nilnont ^1* and Sutida Phitakwinai ^2
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Nonthaburi Campus, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Education, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, NonthaburiCampus, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand.

Abstract

Renewable energy utilization has a greater role in daily life because this energy is clean without pollution and never run out. Renewable energy can help reduce fossil energy consumption that the price of fossil fuels is likely to rise all the time. Moreover, it also reduces the problem of increasing the accumulation greenhouse gases, thus affecting global temperatures. In Thailand, solar energy is one type of renewable energy that has the potential to transform into thermal energy. The main device used to convert an incident radiation into heat is solar collector. The ability to change the energy of a solar collector is important in designing a thermal power system. This paper gathers the information on the analysis methods of the capabilities of the solar collector using the first law of thermodynamics and exergy analysis based on the second law of thermodynamics. This information will serve a guideline to improve the quality of flat plate solar collector, which helps reduce the use of fossil fuels in the most cost-effective approach, following The Alternative Energy Development Plan set up by the Ministry of Energy.