Abstract: A solar collector device of the type adapted for heating water and the like. An elongated, opaque collector is provided with a plurality of radially extending vanes so as to define a hollow interior of stellate cross-section. Water is sprayed through a feeding conduit which extends through the hollow interior. As the sprayed water accumulates upon the interior vane surfaces, the collector wheel is rotated according to the weight of the deposited water. As the vane tips are rotated downwardly, the water is heated by conductive contact with the interior vane surfaces and by convection and radiation within the hollow interior. The heated water is then discharged downwardly through apertures in the vane tips into a collector pan. The invention is distinguished from the prior art in its introduction of the water upon the interior surfaces of collector vanes within a paddle wheel of stellate configuration, rather than upon the exterior surfaces of the vanes.