Enhancing water heater efficiency with aluminum and zinc-coated steel systems for energy solutions

Solar collector plates are integral components for efficient solar heat transfer. While various metallic materials can serve as collector plates, aluminum stands out as a commonly employed choice with thermal conductivity comparable to copper and zinc. The material's thermal conductivity significantly impacts the heat transfer efficiency from sunlight to the collector. Moreover, the surface configuration of the plate is a crucial factor affecting solar heat absorption. This study investigates the utilization of corrugated collector plates made from two materials, aluminum and zinc-coated steel. The solar collector testing phase covers the dry and rainy seasons in Indonesia, thereby providing a comprehensive evaluation in various weather conditions. There are two stages of solar collector testing, namely testing before it is used to heat water and testing to heat water. Radiation data show seasonal variations, with higher radiation observed in the dry season. Evaluation of the performance of the solar collector before being used to heat water resulted in an average efficiency of 41.45 % for aluminum and 33.94 % for zinc-coated steel. Meanwhile, evaluation of the performance of solar collectors used to heat water produces an average efficiency of 20.40 % for aluminum and 10.47 % for zinc-coated steel. Corrugated aluminum solar collectors exhibited promising absorber potential, while zinc-coated steel demonstrated economic viability due to its lower cost compared to aluminum. The research underscores the potential applicability of solar collectors made from both materials throughout different seasons.