Role of Solar collectors on roof heat transfer

Abstract:

Rooftop solar energy systems do more than generate clean energy—they alter local building microclimates and structural cooling loads. This study evaluates the passive thermal impact of three distinct rooftop solar collector setups (Solar Photovoltaic/PV panels, Flat Plate Thermal Collectors, and Solar Parabolic Concentrators) installed on an office building at Gandhigram Rural Institute in Tamil Nadu, India.

By measuring rooftop surface temperatures beneath each collector alongside ambient microclimate temperatures during peak summer months (May–June), the research quantifies how different solar technologies affect building heat gain. The findings reveal a key thermodynamic distinction: while standard Solar PV panels can increase localized ambient air temperature directly around the installation due to thermal heat absorption, solar parabolic concentrators deliver superior sub-roof temperature reduction by reflecting concentrated radiation away from the building surface. Integrating targeted solar thermal collectors thus provides a dual benefit: generating renewable energy while passively cooling urban structures to lower air-conditioning demand.