Integrated Solar Collectors in External Protection for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Heating energy-efficient buildings by using renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, is an important task. Solar collectors cannot always be accommodated on buildings due to lack of space, so it is promising to use solar heating systems, the elements of which are integrated into the structures of external enclosures of buildings and structures. This article presents a study of the thermal-physical characteristics of the proposed integrated solar collectors in the external protection of energy-efficient buildings. Additionally, the study of these integrated solar window constructions was conducted in the presence or absence of blinds. Specifically, the study presents the changes in the useful efficiency coefficient of the integrated solar window depending on the angle of blind opening, which was 0, 45, and 90 degrees, respectively. The maximum value of the useful efficiency coefficient was 45%. Furthermore, the instantaneous thermal power studies of the developed solar window in the heating system were conducted and analyzed. The studies were conducted for different designs of solar windows, including a heat sink in the form of a coil and a heat exchanger in the form of a ribbed heat exchanger. Additionally, it was found that the presence of blinds increased the useful efficiency coefficient of the integrated solar window with a ribbed heat exchanger by 7–11%.