The ingenious collector

The cross-sectional design of the FAFCO collectors provides definite advantages. The outstanding characteristics are confirmed in independent testing:

CEC    Commission of European Communities Joint Research Centre
FSEC  Florida Solar Energy Center
eir       Federal Institute for Reactor Research

Direct radiation from the sun can be absorbed by the fine collector tubes, with no obstructions and independent of the angle of incoming radiation at the time, and is passed on to the pool water flowing through the tubes.

With diffuse (indirect) radiation the FAFCO collector achieves maximum energy absorption because of its cross-section, since the surface area of the collector is substantially greater than that of a collector of the same overall dimensions (l x w) with a flat surface.

Any solar energy reflected from a collector tube strikes as a rule one or the other adjacent tube, and thus is also used.

Sensivity to wind effects

The grooved surface of the FAFCO collector leads to minimum energy loss through wind cooling (high air-drag coefficient).

Technical Data

FAFCO solar collector	3,0 m²	3,7 m²	5,1 m²
Length	2,44 m	3,05 m	4,20 m
Width	1,22 m	1,22 m	1,22 m
Effective surface area	3,00 m²	3,72 m²	5,12 m²
Shipping weight	ca. 7,50 kg	ca. 9,00 kg	ca. 12,00 kg
Water content	ca. 13,50 kg	ca. 19,00 kg	ca. 25,00 kg
Recommended flow rate per collector	0,3-1,0 l/s	0,3-1,0 l/s	0,3-1,0 l/s
Corresponding pressure drop^*)	ca. 0,10 bar	ca. 0,10 bar	ca. 0,10 bar
Max. operating pressure at 28 °C	2,40 bar	2,40 bar	2,40 bar
Max. operating pressure at 90 °C	0,34 bar	0,34 bar	0,34 bar

*) Does not increase when several collectors are connected in parallel!

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