Numerically assisted analysis of flat and corrugated plate solar collectors thermal performances

► Numerical models allow evaluation of all influencing working/design parameters. ► Collectors without tubes are 7-35% more efficient than those with tubes. ► The efficiency drops significantly when the flow rate is <10 kg/m2h (hf = 350 W/m2K). ► The tube to absorber bond width should be >0.5 mm (the bond conductance >35 W/mK). ► Increase from a = 0.9 to 0.95 and from ε = 0.15 to 0.06 yields 12.5% higher efficiency.