Solar heater

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A low-cost solar heating and cooling system having a fluid supply manifold and return manifold comprising a plurality of solar collector modular units, each modular unit having a base attached to vertical sides to form an open containing box in which a flexible heat absorbinb tubing is disposed in a concentric semi-circular convoluted manner therein to receive incident radiation from the sun, the heat absorbing tubing being optimally spaced from each convolution on top of the base within the unit so that the amount of heat reflected to the back side of the heat absorbinb tubing is maximized, the heat absorbing tubing having a very high emissivity and hence absorptivity which maximizes the heat transferred into a heating exchange fluid circulating in the heat absorbing tubing, the modular units being connected hydraulically in series or parallel, a retaining member within each modular unit for vertically and laterally retaining the heat absorbing tubing on top of the base so that heat is absorbed by radiation and conduction, a lining having a highly reflective and heat conductive coating being positioned between the base and the heat absorbing tubing so that the contact points between the heat absorbing tubing and the coating will increase heat transfer by conduction, each modular unit being mounted on a pulley-like rotatable base, each rotatable base having an endless pulley belt rotatably connecting to an output shaft of a high gear ratio electric motor whereby each rotatable base can be driven by the motor, with the rotatable modular units being kept in synchronization by friction applied by belt tension in the continuous belt, the motor being controlled by a timer in conjunction with limit switches so that all of the modular units are capable of rotating in phase with respect to the angle of the sun, a removable clear cover at one closed position closing the top of the open containing box over the vertical sides for preventing heat losses and creating an enclosed heat sink to increase the heat absorbed in the circulating heat exchange fluid and at another removed position in the nighttime the system may be used for cooling by circulating the heat exchange fluid, the cover is constructed of a low reflective material which minimizes reflected heat loss, the heat exchanger fluid including water and anti-freeze additives which reduce the freezing point of the circulating water