Residential Solar Heating Collectors Residential Solar Heating Collectors Solar collectors are the heart of most solar energy systems. The collector absorbs the sun's light energy and changes it into heat energy. This publication describes the different types of solar collectors used for residences. It also briefly covers the solar heating systems for which they are best suited.
Solar collectors heat a fluid, either air or liquid.
There are several types of solar collectors used for residences. The glazing can be transparent or translucent. The glazing allows the light to strike the absorber plate but reduces the amount of heat that can escape. The sides and bottom of the collector are usually insulated, further minimizing heat loss. The absorber plate is usually black because dark colors absorb more solar energy than light colors.