Strategies for Modelling Incident Solar Radiation for Thermal Analysis of Flat-Plate Solar Collectors Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Estrategias de Modelado de Radiación Solar Incidente para Análisis Térmico de Colectores Solares Planos mediante Dinámica de Fluidos Computacional

Abstract

This study uses a proprietary implementation in OpenFOAM(R) of a boundary condition for incident solar radiation, based on view factors and modelling of the daily and seasonal solar trajectory. This allows for a more accurate representation of the irradiance on flat solar collectors and analysis of their thermal behaviour and efficiency under the meteorological conditions of the central coast of Argentina. The seasonal and hourly variation in outlet temperature, thermal losses and overall performance are evaluated, providing useful information for the design and operation of solar thermal systems adapted to local climates.