AET has launched the Camel Solar Vacuum (CSV), a high efficiency evacuated-tube solar thermal collector to harvest energy from the sun for commercial hot water and space heating applications.

Using state-of-the-art technology, the CSV has been developed to absorb over 92% of the sun's energy landing on the collector. This makes it one of the most efficient solar collectors on the market with a stagnation temperature of 250oC and one of the most economical ways to generate renewable energy.

The advantage of the CSV over other types of solar collector is that the unit's evacuated tubes enable the collector to work effectively even during the coldest winter months. Depending on the model, a collector is comprised of either 10 or 15 high-efficiency, double-walled evacuated glass tubes, each containing a heat absorbing plate. The vacuum between the tube's twin walls helps reduce both convection and conduction heat losses from the absorber to improve the collector's efficiency. This efficiency is further enhanced by a high efficiency selective coating applied to the outer wall of the inner glass tube, which helps increase the amount of heat absorbed by the unit.

Each evacuated glass tube surrounds an aluminium absorber plate. The plate is finished with a special coating developed to absorb infrared radiation to maximise the solar energy harvested. The absorber plate is ultrasonically welded to a patented U-type copper pipe, which contains the heat transfer fluid. This pipe is attached to the collector's 22mm diameter supply and return manifolds. Heat from the evacuated tube is circulated from the supply manifold by the transfer fluid to its point of use in a building and then back to the return manifold. To minimise heat losses from the unit, the manifolds are insulated using high density Rockwool insulation covered by an anodised aluminium casing to protect it from the elements.

Because solar thermal technology is simple and reliable with minimal maintenance, the CSV is an ideal heating technology for a wide variety of commercial applications, particularly businesses that use a high volume of hot water such as hospitals, hotels, breweries and swimming pools. The collector can also be linked to an absorption chiller to provide chilled water using heat from the sun.

The CSV forms part of AET's extensive range of Camel Solar commercial products, which includes copper and aluminium flat plate collectors, copper and aluminium façade collectors. AET are the exclusive distributors for the Camel Solar range in the UK.

To learn more about AET's sustainable solutions, including the Camel Solar range, contact AET direct by email on aet@flexiblespace.com or visit www.camel-solar.com and www.flexiblespace.com