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Radio Astronomy
Interferometry
Solar Energy
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This solar panel uses what is called a transpired air
method of heating air using solar energy. Air is drawn through the perforated
metal front of the panel into an enclosed box by a fan mounted to the back of
the box.
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In this case, I used brown perforated
aluminum soffet material from Totem, a building supply store. Pieces measure
16 3/4 inches by 12 feet. I cut one sheet in half to make two panels. Black
would have been a slightly better choice as it has better heating
properties. |
| I made a box six feet long by the width
of two soffet panels wide (approximately 32 inches) and put a 5/8 inch piece
of OSB board at the back. |
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I added a 1 by 2 inch wooden piece down
the centre of the box to screw the soffet material to along the middle where
they overlap. |
| The two halves of the soffet sheet are
placed side by side on the air capture box and then screwed in place using
roofing screws. Where the sheets overlap I also screwed these down using the
1 by 2 inch strip of wood installed inside the box. |
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To ensure a good seal at the top and
bottom of the box, I put a 1 inch wide piece of 1/2 inch foam between the
box and the metal sheet. |
The fan and temperature data collection wiring were
installed in an opening at the top back of the unit. The fan is a 12 volt DC
unit purchased from a Princess Auto surplus bin. It draws air in the centre of
the fan from inside the solar collector chamber and blows it out via a
centrifugal action.
The fan is connected to my test station in the basement of
the house.
Here are the results of
testing on Feb 19, 2006.
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