EFFECT OF INCLINATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CPC SOLAR-ENERGY COLLECTORS

A theoretical numerical model of thermal transfer in a line-axis, symm etric, compound parabolic concentrating solar energy collector (CPC) i s presented. The effect of the angle of axial inclination of an east-w est aligned CPC and hence the effect of the latitudinal and tracking c onfiguration of the CPC system on performance is investigated. The ang le of inclination is taken into consideration in the determination of both internal and external convective heat transfer. The convective, r adiative, conductive and overall heat transfer coefficients and system efficiency for various angles of inclination, concentration ratios an d insolations was determined, and are presented as graphs of heat tran sfer variation and Hottel-Whillier-Bliss characteristic curves respect ively.