Abstract: A solar heater for heating a fluid passing through a plurality of side by side positioned solar panels. The solar panels are formed of heat conducting material with an upper solar energy exposed surface covered with a radiant heat absorbing material having high heat absorbing characteristics. A conduit formed of heat conducting material is held in place by an open circular channel of a diameter less than the conduit and positioned below the longitudinal center line of the solar panel. The solar panel portions on each side of the center line slopes downward away from the center. The respective ends of the conduits are connected to a separate common header. One header delivers ambient fluid to the conduits and the other removes heated fluid.

Abstract: A solar heater for heating a fluid passing through a plurality of side by side positioned solar panels. The solar panels are formed of heat conducting material with an upper solar energy exposed surface covered with a radiant heat absorbing material with high heat absorbing characteristics. A V shaped hinge groove is positioned along the upper longitudinal center line of the panel. The panel portions on each side of the hinge groove slope downward toward their outer edges. Curvi-linear channels are formed below the outer edges. The curvi-linear channels are received by bottom surface supported conduits that have common headers at respective ends extending beyond the solar panels. One header delivers ambient fluid to the conduits and the other removes heated fluid. The panels, conduit and headers are confined within a sealed insulated housing having integral, rigid side walls and bottom and at least one transparent panel spaced above the solar panels and sealed to the atmosphere.