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-----Solar Air Heating Coating for Absorber Plates
Q. I am in the process of research to build a few solar air heaters. I want to do my part to lessen dependence on oils and gases. I want my collector to be as efficient as possible. I need to absorb visible light and infrared (which as I understand the infrared has twice the energy available then visible light). My absorption plates will either be steel or, preferably, aluminum.
What I'm trying to answer is: What kinds of coatings or metal treatment processes are available that will produce a high energy absorption rate with little to no reflectivity?
Any thoughts, experience, ideas, or resources will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
hobbyist - Great Falls, Montana, USA
February 8, 2010
A. Black chrome plating has long been recognized as the best coating for solar collectors, and I don't think there have been any recent changes to that situation, Todd.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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