Absorber Roof is an experimental solar collecting roofing material that I have been working on. It is designed to supply large quantities of thermal energy at low cost.

The innovative features of this design, that may help it achieve a new level of efficiency and cost effectiveness are-

• Integration of a roofing material with a solar collector, and insulation
  
• Light weight polymers used for the glazing and insulating layers
• Extruded aluminium absorber tube and manifolds
  
• Uses CPC principals of moderately concentrating non-tracking optics to increases absorber temperature and minimize material use
  

Apart from the all aluminium extruded tube/fin/manifold arrangement, all the above features have been separately employed in other collector designs over the years. I believe that by carefully combining these features a collector can be produced with unique advantages.

Although a fully manufactured product may eventually be produced, I will be focusing on component supply and design refinement. Hopefully this will spread the load and result in faster development and adoption.

A starting point for this invention are the thermal requirements of a new wave of low grade heat engines and thermally driven cooling systems that can operate from below boiling point temperatures

Although initial use will probably be for hot water and space heating, these higher value energy outcomes may guide development and optimization into the future