Comparative Study of Flat Solar Collectors Connected in Series and in Parallel Using Readily Available Materials (in the City of Chimoio)

The article approaches in a comparative way the series and parallel connection of flat solar collectors using glass covers, creating a low-cost, easy-to-assemble solar thermal system in the Heróis Mozambicanos neighborhood, in the city of Chimoio. The thermal efficiency of each collector and each connection made in the solar collectors was analyzed. These solar collectors have good outlet temperatures, as they can heat water to the recommended ideal temperature, which is above 30°C. Therefore, this article approaches the use of solar energy using low-cost systems that are accessible to the population, built with materials that are easily found in the national market, for basic purposes. To carry out this article, the experimental method was used, which consisted of producing two prototypes of solar collectors. In addition to the experimental method, a bibliographic analysis technique was used, which consisted of gathering information in books, dissertations, websites, and manuals already published on the subject. For data collection, opted to use a TPM-10 digital thermometer, which consisted of viewing temperature data, and a cell phone stopwatch to measure the time spent during the time intervals under study. Microsoft Office Excel was used for data analysis, and temperature data obtained on instruments during the study was used to determine thermal efficiency, yield, useful power, and global solar radiation. With the solar water heating system, such as the flat solar collectors developed, good temperature indices were obtained, between 37.7°C and 68.1°C, with a thermal efficiency of 52.9%. Meanwhile, conventional solar collectors sold on the domestic market and some installed on hospital roofs typically have a thermal efficiency of over 55%.