Solar Thermal System

Solar thermal systems convert sunlight into usable heat — but only if the heat stays where it belongs. Traditional insulation materials fall short in high-temperature, outdoor environments, leading to significant energy losses across collectors, storage tanks, and distribution pipelines. NANO TECH aerogel insulation materials are engineered to solve exactly this problem, delivering ultra-low thermal conductivity in a lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant form factor.

Solar thermal power generation is an important aspect of solar thermal utilization. This technology uses collectors to collect the solar radiation heat through the heat storage medium (molten salt and heating oil), then concentrates the heat to feed water to generate steam, and generates electricity through steam turbines and generators.

At present, traditional materials such as aluminum silicate, rock wool are frequently used for heat storage tank and pipeline. Which leads to high heat loss. Because of the preciousness of the energy, how to reduce the heat loss and improve the uiliation of solar energy is particularly important.

Advantage

1. Effectively reduce the heat loss of the pipeline and improve the utilization and conversion rate of light and heat;

2. Inorganic materials, stable structure, and a service life of up to 20 years;

3. Low thermal conductivity, reducing the thickness of the insulation layer;

4. Convenient construction and easy cutting.

The specific comparison with traditional insulation materials is shown in the table below

Lightweight series		Nano Aerogel Blanket	Traditional insulation materials
			Aluminum silicate	Glass wool	Rock wool
Thermal conductivityW/(m·K)	25℃	0.018	0.035	0.038	0.036
	100℃	0.024	0.05	0.051	0.049
	300℃	0.034	0.09	——	0.091
Maximum use temperature，℃		650	800	400	400
Bulk density，kg/m³		170~210	120~150	40~60	100~120
Water resistance		Water repellency rate ≥99%, volume moisture absorption rate ≤1%, no special waterproof measures are required. The detachable thermal insulation cover has good thermal insulation effect and is easy to use.	It is not completely waterproof, and the surface of the protective plate needs to be sprayed with metal sealant for waterproofing.
Insulation of tees, valves, etc.		The detachable thermal insulation cover has good thermal insulation effect and is easy to use.	Spraying method or heat preservation box heat preservation, the heat preservation effect is poor
Compressive strength (25%)		≥120Kpa	Felt products: Compression becomes largerPlate-shaped products: brittle and fragile
		1. Good integrity, good seismic and tensile resistance, no particle accumulation, sedimentation, etc. during use; 2. The shrinkage rate in the 20-year simulation test is less than 1%, and the thermal conductivity has no change.	1. The material structure is loose, self-weight, equipment vibration, material water ingress, etc. easily cause the material to disintegrate and settle, and the heat preservation effect is obviously reduced.
Others		The use of small thickness can reduce the insulation thickness of the pipeline, reduce the spacing of the steam pipeline, and reduce the area of the plant or the size of the pipe gallery.	The insulation layer is thick, and there are gaps in the lap joints. The higher coefficient of expansion and contraction can easily cause the gaps to become thermal bridges, which are more obvious after vibration.

Why Solar Thermal Systems Need Aerogel Insulation

Every solar thermal system faces a fundamental challenge: the hotter your collector runs, the faster heat escapes back into the environment. Conventional insulation materials — fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam — lose performance at elevated temperatures, absorb moisture outdoors, and add excessive bulk and weight to rooftop or industrial installations.

Aerogel insulation addresses these limitations directly. With a thermal conductivity as low as 0.015–0.021 W/m·K — roughly 2 to 5 times better than traditional alternatives — aerogel keeps heat exactly where the system needs it: inside the collector, inside the storage tank, and inside the pipe network.

Key performance characteristics that matter for solar thermal applications:

Ultra-low thermal conductivity across a wide operating range (-200°C to 650°C)
Lightweight and thin profile — as little as 10–25mm replaces 50–80mm of conventional insulation
Hydrophobic surface treatment — prevents moisture absorption in outdoor rooftop environments
High-temperature stability — maintains performance in collectors reaching 150°C to 300°C
Flexible form factor — aerogel blankets conform to curved collector frames, cylindrical pipes, and irregular tank surfaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can aerogel insulation withstand the outdoor conditions in solar thermal installations?Yes. NANO TECH aerogel blankets are treated with a hydrophobic surface coating that prevents water absorption and maintains insulation performance even after prolonged outdoor exposure, rain, or humidity. They are also UV-stable when protected by a standard aluminum foil or cladding system.

Q: What operating temperature range is suitable for solar thermal collector insulation?Our standard aerogel blanket products are rated for continuous operation up to 300°C, which covers all flat plate and evacuated tube collector applications. For CSP plant applications operating above 300°C, we offer high-temperature aerogel products rated to 650°C. Contact us with your specific temperature requirements for product recommendations.

Q: How does aerogel insulation affect the overall weight of a rooftop solar thermal system?Aerogel blankets are significantly lighter than mineral wool or fiberglass at equivalent thermal performance levels — typically 30–60% lighter. This is especially important for rooftop solar thermal installations where structural load is a design constraint.

Q: Is aerogel insulation compatible with the heat transfer fluids used in solar thermal systems?Yes. Aerogel blankets are inorganic, chemically inert materials that do not react with common solar thermal heat transfer fluids including water, glycol/water mixtures, and thermal oils. They are also non-combustible and meet Class A fire rating requirements.

Q: Can you supply custom-cut or custom-thickness aerogel blankets for collector manufacturers?Yes. NANO TECH supplies aerogel blankets in custom thicknesses (standard range: 5mm to 25mm) and custom cut-to-size formats for collector and tank manufacturers integrating aerogel insulation directly into their production process. Contact our technical team to discuss your OEM requirements.

Get Aerogel Insulation for Your Solar Thermal Project

Whether you are an OEM collector manufacturer, a solar thermal system installer, a CSP plant engineer, or a project procurement team, NANO TECH's technical and sales teams are ready to assist with:

Product selection and specification for your operating conditions
Custom dimensions and packaging
Technical data sheets and compliance documentation
Competitive pricing for both sample and volume orders

Contact us today for a free technical consultation and quote.

City Heating System

Equipments And OEM Services