The preparation and testing of spectrally selective paints on different substrates for solar absorbers

In this paper the preparation and testing of spectrally selective paint coa tings for absorbers in flat-plate solar collectors are shown. This represen ts the most inexpensive way of preparing such an absorber. Basic properties of coatings prepared on aluminum, copper and stainless steel substrates ar e described together with the stability of the painted substrate. To calcul ate the performance of the solar collector with a painted absorber, a dynam ic multi-node model was applied. It considers the main components and heat transfer fluxes of a flat-p[ate solar collector. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.