The UNSW Solar Thermal Laboratory carries out both fundamental and applied research on technologies for converting solar energy into useful heat. The lab houses a wide range of solar collectors (flat plates, evacuated tubes and concentrating systems), temperature-controlled tanks, pumps, calibrated pyranometers, flow meters, and data acquisition systems. With broad experience in experimental testing and component/system design modelling, the lab is continuously used for prototyping new collector designs, materials and working fluids.
The laboratory specialises in energy-water nexus systems analysis, including:
- PV and thermal solar hot water systems
- heat pump systems
- swimming pool heating systems (POOLHEAT)
- solar desalination systems
- sustainable industrial process heating and cooling systems.