Solar collector panel and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What I claim my invention is: 1.
A solar collector panel comprising a collector plate having one side adapted to be exposed to solar energy, a wall spaced from the other side of the plate, a fluid flow passage between the plate and the wall, a first set of fins spaced along the passage and extending from the plate into the passage and a second set of fins spaced along the passage and extending from the wall into the passage, the second set of fins being located between the fins of the first set, all of said fins being generally parallel, so that fluid flowing through the passage is moved along a serpentine path repetitively toward, into contact with and away from the collector plate for improved transfer of heat from the plate to the fluid.
2.
A solar collector panel as in claim 1 wherein the ends of the first set of fins extend into the passage past the ends of the second set of fins.
3.
A solar collector panel as in claim 2 wherein the fins of said first set are formed of a thermal conductive material and are secured to the collector plate in heat conductive contact.
4.
A solar collector panel as in claim 3 wherein the collector plate is planar and the fins in both sets of fins are oriented perpendicularly to the collector plate.
5.
A solar collector panel as in claim 4 wherein the spacing between adjacent fins in each set of fins is twice the distance between the end of each fin and the opposite side of the passage, and each fin in one set is located midway between the adjacent pair of fins of the other set so that the fins define a generally serpentine flow path having an essentially uniform cross section in the direction of flow.
6.
A solar collector panel as in claim 5 including a set of upper channel members each including a base and a pair of fins extending perpendicularly away from the base, connection means securing the bases of the channel members flush on the collector plate so that the fins extend perpendicularly from the plate into the passage, and a set of lower members on the wall each including a pair of spaced fins extending from the wall perpendicularly toward the collector plate, each upper channel member being associated with a lower member with a fin of one member being located between the fins of the other member