The diagrams illustrate the structure of two types of solar panels, showing how one is used to heat air while the other is designed to heat water.
Overall, both structures share a common design, as they rely on solar radiation passing through a transparent glazing sheet to generate heat inside the enclosure. However, they differ in the medium being heated: one system warms air, while the other heats water through a pipe
In the first diagram, the solar panel is used to heat air. It consists of a transparent glazing cover, an inlet, and an outlet. The process begins when cool air enters through the inlet and circulates inside the enclosure. As a result, the air absorbs solar heat and exits through the outlet as hot air.
By contrast, the second diagram demonstrates how water is heated. Unlike the air-heating model, this panel contains a coiled water pipe inside the enclosure. A notable difference is that cool water is pumped into the system rather than air. Similarly, the water absorbs heat from sunlight; however, it is released through the outlet as hot water after passing through the pipe.
