Accelerated Aging Test and Service Life Time Estimation for Solar Collectors
Abstract
Based the loads and degradation observed on flat plate collectors exposed in the period from 2012 to 2020 at different locations (Kochi (India), Negev (Israel), Gran Canaria (Spain), Beijing (China), Zugspitze, Freiburg and Stuttgart) accelerated aging tests were developed and carried out on identical solar collectors to simulate the degradation that occurred at the exposure sites and thus estimate the service life of the solar collectors. After and during the multi-year exposure of 7 to 8 years, the performance of the solar collectors was tested according to ISO 9806 to determine the performance degradation caused by the loads. Based on these measurements and the loads measured at the exposure sites, a model for service life estimation of flat-plate collectors was developed.