How does a rooftop solar vacuum tube work?

The water is heated in a heat pipe placed inside the vacuum chamber. And as the pressure is less inside the vacuum tube, water boils at low temperatures. Naked Energy's rooftop solar vacuum tubes generate heat as well as electricity. They use the same collector for photovoltaic mechanisms and thermal conversion.

What is a solar vacuum tube?

Solar vacuum tubes are made up of two layers of glass with a vacuum in between, kind of like a Thermos. Naked Energy claims that its Virtu products are three to four times more efficient than traditional PV solar panels, and ELM calls Naked Energy a developer of the “world’s highest energy density solar technology” in its news announcement.

Does a double-layered vacuum-tube solar collector have thermal performance?

In this study, based on the energy balance for different components of a double-layered vacuum-tube solar collector with a U-tube, the thermal performance of the collector unit is investigated separately using an analytical and quasi-dynamic method.

What are naked energy's rooftop vacuum tubes?

Naked Energy's rooftop vacuum tubes are similar in construction to traditional solar vacuum tubes. They unveil two products: VirtuHOT, which heats water only, and VirtuPVT, which combines photovoltaic and thermal technology to generate electricity and heat from a single solar collector. VirtuPVT vacuum tubes. Image used courtesy of Naked Energy

Will naked energy's solar vacuum tubes be sold in the US?

UK-based solar tech developer Naked Energy’s rooftop solar vacuum tubes, which produce both electricity and heat, will soon be sold in the United States. Peoria, Illinois-headquartered ELM Companies, a US energy storage and microgrid specialist, is funding Naked Energy, along with banking giant Barclays and US venture capital firm Big Sky Partners.

Does a solar collector of an evacuated tube with a U-tube perform?

Optimum discharge in terms of annual average total solar radiation. In this study, the thermal performance of a solar collector of an evacuated tube with a U-tube has been investigated.