Finite element analysis of a flat plate solar collector 

 -  Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 24(4), p.283-290, 1997 .
<br/><br/> An analysis based upon the two-dimensional finite element method is carried out to characterize the performance of solar collectors. The traditional one-dimensional models assume average temperature of the plate and the predictions from the one-dimensional models for collector efficiency yield higher values. The two-dimensional model yields predictions of the instantaneous collector performance without making assumptions of the average plate temperature. The two-dimensional model may be used to optimize the design of solar collectors. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>FINITE ELEMENTS<br/>SOLAR COLLECTORS<br/>SOLAR ENERGY<br/>COLLECTOR DESIGN