Operational trends of a mini parabolic solar collector for agricultural purposes in a non-active solar environment

The mode of operation of mini parabolic solar panels made of germanium, mild steel and aluminium were investigated experimentally, as means of providing heated water on a farmland; the process was also modelled. Angular adjustments of the solar collectors from 70-90o were adopted in order to determine, the best material of construction for the parabolic solar collector and the angular orientation with the highest heat collection tendency and absorption rate. The highest quantity of adsorbed heat/best heating effect of the solar collector was obtained at an angular orientation of 80o for mild steel and aluminium. It was also observed that, the parabolic solar collectors have their optimum exposure times, after which, the heating rate drops or there is loss of heat from its surface. The experimental and model estimates, in terms of heat absorption for the mild steel solar collector at 70 and 90o angular tilts, shows that, the optimum heating time was 40 minutes while at 80o, the optimum heating time was found to be 50 minutes.