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 has specialised in the modelling of heat pump systems (HPRATE), sizing of swimming pool heating systems (POOLHEAT), the development of direct absorption systems, and latent energy storage systems.