A solar collector is in its simplest form just a water hose left in the sun. This simple method is widely used in conjunction with smaller swimming pools and garden showers.

To enhance the efficiency, the hose is replaced by copper pipes, contained within vacuum housing. This is reducing heat loss to the surrounding air. A collector may then be connected to a storage tank, utilising the lower placed “sun coil”, due to its relatively low temperature.

In countries with high sun radiation, a common use is to produce hot household water.