The diagrams illustrate the structure of a simple solar panel and explain how it can be used to heat both air and water.
Overall, the solar panel consists of a box covered with a transparent top, which allows sunlight to enter and generate heat. Although the basic structure is the same in both systems, the main difference is that the water-heating panel contains a pipe inside the box.
Looking first at the structure, the solar panel is made up of a rectangular box with a transparent cover positioned above it. There are two openings on opposite sides of the box, which serve as an inlet and an outlet. In the air-heating system, cool air enters through the inlet while sunlight passes through the transparent top and provides heat energy. As a result, the air becomes warmer before leaving the box through the outlet.
The water-heating system operates in a similar way, but instead of air, it uses water. Cool water enters through the inlet and flows through a pipe installed inside the box. Meanwhile, sunlight passes through the transparent cover and heats the water inside the pipe. Finally, the warm water leaves the system through the outlet.
