Flat solar collectors

Flat-plate solar collectors provide heating by capturing the sun's heat through a wide flat surface and transferring it to heat transfer pipes. They are heavier and less efficient under sub-optimal conditions (although under optimal conditions - a 45° bend, facing south - their efficiency is comparable to or even higher than vacuum collectors), but their main advantage lies in their robustness - they are more resilient in adverse weather conditions and can therefore be safely installed on the ground.