Measurement of optical absorption by calorimetry and analysis of a solar collector.

An apparatus is described for the measurement of absorptance, emittance, and selectivity. It can be used to illustrate the relative importance of heat losses by radiation, conduction, and convection in a solar collector, as well as the effects of selectivity and of full or partial evacuation on the efficiency. The apparatus can be constructed in a reasonably well-equipped departmental machine shop, and is suitable for projects or experiments by advanced undergraduate students.