Canada releases worlds first test standard for unglazed ambient solar air collectors

Canadian Standards Association released in September 2011 an updated edition of the CSA F378 Series, Solar collectors which replaces the previous edition of CSA F378, Solar Collectors, published in 1987.

The new test standard currently has two sections:

• F378.1, Glazed and unglazed liquid heating solar collectors
• F378.2, Air heating solar collectors

The Air Standard applies to both glazed and unglazed air heating solar collectors used for converting solar radiation into thermal energy by heating air flowing through the collector. Typical applications the air heating solar collectors covered by this Standard include their use in systems for direct space heating, combustion air heating, crop drying, and ventilation air pre-heating.

This Standard is intended to apply to solar collectors that use air as a heat transfer medium including the following types of solar collectors:

1. glazed closed-loop recirculated air heating solar collectors;
2. unglazed closed-loop recirculated air heating solar collectors;
3. glazed open-loop ambient air heating solar collectors; and
4. unglazed open-loop ambient air heating solar collectors.

One response to “Canada releases worlds first test standard for unglazed ambient solar air collectors”

1. Robert Carriere says:

   June 18, 2012 at 12:32 pm

   I recently developed and filed [atent on a new solar collector air system. What are the cost involved and advantages of the f378.2 tests.

   My collector design is Photo Voltaic powered and does not require an electrical CSA approval as the voltage is 12 vdc.

   The Collector size is a substantial 4 foot by 24 foot size, however is packaged in a 4 foot by 18 inch diameter package for shipping.

   Yours Truly

   Robert Carriere
   Carriere Innovations Inc
   Grande Pointe, Ontario
   N0P 1S0
   519 352 9155

   Reply