Many of these testing procedures contained herein are developmental and will be evaluated during a collector testing program being sponsored by the Department of Energy (see Appendix C of this report). Revisions or deletions will be made as more experience is gained and inputs are received from appropriate industry representatives, testing laboratories, designers, etc. Many of the procedures given in this report are intended for use as a supplement to engineering analysis and would ordinarily be performed only when such analysis is not feasible, e.g. with some innovative designs. Comments concerning these tests are invited and should be addressed to:
A study was undertaken to investigate the use of ASTM E 108 (NFPA 256, UL 790), Fire Tests of Roof Coverings, for testing roof-mounted solar energy collectors. The ASTM E 108 test method is commonly referenced in building codes as the procedure for determining the fire characteristics of roof coverings. To date, no data have been available regarding the influence of solar collectors on the fire characteristics of roof coverings or on collectors used as roof coverings. This study focused primarily on class C intermittent flame, spread of flame, and burning brand tests, although several class A and B burning brand tests were conducted. The collectors studied were commercially available and constructed with a broad variety of glazing, casing, and insulation materials representative of those commonly in use.The collectors were tested on sloped, asphalt shingled, roofs with three types of mountings: integrally as the roof, directly on the roof covering, and on standoffs above the roof covering. Data are presented showing the results of the testing conducted. An evaluation of the testing procedures as they apply to roof-mounted solar collectors is given.
Thermal performance measurements of eight liquid-heating flat-plate solar collectors were conducted with two to four collectors of each type at four outdoor test sites. Tests were performed in accordance with the procedure prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 93-77. Statistical analysis of data sets for each collector type within test sites and between test sites was done using ASTM recommended methods to evaluate test method measurement uncertainty. Illustrations of the influence of thermal performance data uncertainty are presented for collector material degradation, collector rating and calculated system performance.
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