solfångare

Solfångare is a Swedish term that translates to solar collector or solar thermal collector. It refers to a device designed to absorb solar radiation and convert it into usable heat. This heat is then typically transferred to a fluid, such as water or air, for various applications.

The most common type of solfångare is the flat-plate collector. This consists of a dark absorber plate, usually made of metal, enclosed in an insulated casing with a transparent cover. The sun's rays heat the absorber plate, which in turn heats the fluid flowing through pipes attached to it. Evacuated tube collectors are another type, which use a vacuum between the absorber and the outer glass tube to reduce heat loss, making them more efficient in colder climates.

The heated fluid from a solfångare can be used for several purposes. Domestic hot water heating is a primary application, where the solar-heated fluid circulates through a heat exchanger to warm the water stored in a tank. Space heating is another common use, with the solar-heated fluid circulating through radiators or underfloor heating systems. In some cases, solfångare are used in industrial processes that require low to medium temperature heat. The integration of solfångare into buildings is often referred to as solar thermal systems.