Patent ID: 7143762

Claim:
A solar collector comprising: a top portion comprising glazing, a bottom portion; an absorber adapted for circulating a heat transfer fluid therethrough, the absorber disposed between said top portion and said bottom portion for absorbing solar energy received through said glazing, said absorber in a spaced relationship above said bottom portion such that a channel is defined between a lower surface of said absorber and an upper surface of said bottom portion; an inlet and an outlet associated with said bottom portion and at substantially opposite ends of said channel; and a damper for opening said outlet at a temperature equal to or above a first selected temperature and for closing said outlet at a temperature equal to or below a second selected temperature; wherein said lower surface of the absorber is radiatively coupled to at least one other surface defining said channel; wherein opening of said damper passively ventilates said channel; and wherein said first and second selected temperatures are below a stagnation temperature of the solar collector.