Heat transfer characteristics study on solar air collector of heat-absorbing plate with holes

A new type of solar air collector with heat-absorbing plate was designed, and the holes of different size were arranged in the plate to guide air go through in different side of the plate. The heat transfer characteristics of the solar air collector were studied theoretically. By ignoring the unimportant factors, the thermal network model was establishment to describe heat transfer process. Heat balance equations of the related components such as glass, air, heat-absorbing plate, back plate were established respectively. Temperature distribution within the collector was calculated by Matlab. Factors influencing the temperature distribution such as width, thickness, height, solar radiation intensity, inlet air flow rate, size and number of holes in the heat-absorbing plate were discussed.