Window with integrated solar collector : Climate resistance evaluation report

Abstract

The NorDan solar collector is a window/solar collector combination which can be mounted as a traditional window in the façade of a new building. The component is originally designed for new buildings, but the research and experiments carried out in Retrokit2 focus on developing solutions for retrofitting. Air- and rain tightness tests have been carried out at SINTEF Byggforsk`s Laboratory facilities in Høgskoleringen 7B in Trondheim. The U-value of a wall element with a solar collector for retrofitting has been calculated. A laboratory experiment of the moisture performance was carried out to investigate constructional details of the building integration and how the building integration can be solved without the risk of moisture condensation and mould growth behind the solar collector. Laboratory experiments and U-value calculations verify that the NorDan solar collector function as designed. The NorDan solar collector is air- and rain tight and can replace the exterior cladding of new and existing buildings as a fully building integrated element for solar thermal energy production.