Prediction of the daily performance of solar collectors

This paper presents the application of an online identification neural technique to the prediction of the in-situ daily performance of solar collectors. First, it is shown that the use of the Laplace transform helps to find the order of an approximated model; the input of the studied system being the solar radiation. Then it is shown that a Neural Network Output Error (NNOE) model can be accurate using the right size of the regression vector; the learning database consisting of the data obtained during a half day. Finally, it is shown that a Multiple Inputs Single Output (MISO) NNOE model can be accurate; the inputs being the solar radiation and the thermal heat loss conductance that varies with the wind velocity. In any case the differential between the actual value of the daily energy and the value computed by a neural model (SISO-Single Input Single Output) or MISO) is less than 0.5%.