Hot-Water Collector Technology
BSR Solar Technologies has developed the solar hot-water
system SOLARBOXTM that is simple in design
and is highly economical. The innovation of
SOLARBOXTM is based on the employment of
a special fluorpolymer foil. This allows the penetration of
the sun's full radiation spectrum (incl. UV-radiation) thus
heating and simultaneously disinfecting the water.
The SOLARBOXTM is an integrated
hot-water collector/storage system. When heated up by solar
radiation the SOLARBOXTM functions as an
isothermal system, i.e., the increasing volume of hot water
is kept within a temperature range of 3°C.
The main advantages of the SOLARBOXTM
technology as compared to conventional collectors are as
follows:
Better utilization of solar energy: In the
SOLARBOXTM technology the black absorber
surface is located at the bottom of the box; thus the solar
photons first pass through the water. As a result 90% of the
photonic energy is converted into thermal energy to heat the
water. With conventional collectors the absorber is located on
the water surface: solar photons first hit the absorber and an
important portion of the heat produced remains in the absorber
instead of heating the water.

Heating and storage in one unit: The
SOLARBOXTM system is both, collector and
storage, storing water of up to 250 liters per square meter.
With the conventional version the collector and storage tank
are separated and connected by pipe.

Natural UV disinfection: Miraflow®, the
special foil that covers the SOLARBOXTM,
allows UV radiation to penetrate and disinfect, freeing the
water from bacteria and viruses. Conventional collectors do
not have this capability.
Superior economics: With the
SOLARBOXTM technology the cost of
manufacturing a solar-powered hot water system can be
reduced to 60% of that for conventional collectors.
© 2002 Shandon Associates (info@bsrsolar.com)
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