Solar thermal collectors primarily utilize
direct solar radiation and minimize convective heat exchange with the environment. This has the
advantage of allowing high temperatures, far exceeding the ambient temperature, to be achieved. A
disadvantage is that the heat from the
ambient air cannot be utilized, even when there is no
direct solar radiation. According to the invention, this
disadvantage is overcome by providing the housing containing the actual collector, through which the
heat transfer medium flows, with at least two openings. These openings are tightly closed by flaps or similar devices when
direct solar radiation is sufficiently high, but can be opened when needed, i.e., when direct solar
radiation is low, allowing air to flow over the actual collector, either by natural draft or driven by a fan.The opening and closing of the flaps or similar devices, and the operation of any fan (if present), are controlled by a
system that calculates and compares the heat
gain from direct solar
radiation and
airflow, and reacts accordingly by switching the fan on or off and opening or closing the flaps. A further
control system, depending on the temperature of the
heat transfer medium and the hot water in the
storage tank, as well as the heating demand, determines whether the
heat transfer medium is used to further heat the hot water in the
storage tank or to power a
heat pump.