Experimental study of a roof solar collector towards the natural ventilation of new houses

The paper discusses the possibility of offering thermal comfort in new housing built in European style and situated in a hot and humid climate, without inducing mechanical energy cost, by means of a constructive element: the Roof Solar Collector (RSC). With this RSC it is possible, on the one hand, to minimize the fraction of the solar flux absorbed by the dwelling (insulation) and, on the other hand, to induce a natural ventilation which improves its thermal comfort. The influence of length and tilt angle of the RSC and local constructing materials used on the performance of the RSC is studied experimentally. The results of the study were that the appropriate materials of the roof solar collector, with regard to the improved natural ventilation, should be CPAC Monier concrete tiles on the outer side and gypsum board on the inner one. The optimum length of roof solar collector must be shorter on the order of 100 cm and tilted at 30 degrees. The induced natural ventilation rate was about 0.08-0.15 m(3) s(-1) m(-2). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.