Simulator testing of evacuated flat plate solar collectors for industrial heat and building integration

The solder seals were developed from experience with vacuum glazing but the increased gap led to reliability issues. A vacuum pump maintained the enclosures under a high vacuum (<0.1 Pa) during testing. The enclosure based on a thin rear metal tray proved to be more effectively sealed than the more rigid enclosure with glass on both sides: the latter developed leaks as the front to rear temperature difference increased. The biggest challenge in the manufacture of evacuated flat plate collectors is to ensure a long-term hermetic seal such that no pumping is required.