What even are these things... a hot water mystery

[Laughingman]

So... I have some hot water panels. I think. They look like there supposed to heat liquid with the sun.... I could really use some help ID-ing these ones and/or advice on how I might fix and use them. Or if there not worth it and I should just scrap them and try something else. I picked them up years ago from a friend.

The whole panel is about 6 by 2 and comprises a thin sheet metal box with some small insulation in the bottum Over the insulation there is a capillary system made of something non metallic, plastic of some sort? What I can see without tearing the whole thing open seams to be many long 1/4 or 1/2 inch tubes traveling from top to bottom. On top of that there is some sort of dark semi translucent fiberglass cover it was all black at some point though some of it is muddy right now. This cover is also torn away in large chunks so if it is the outside face of the system it will need replaced. there also doesn't seam a good way to place glass over the top and I thought that was odd. So my assumption is that these are a lower grade panel, maybe for heating pool water or something like that. If anyone knows anything about these panels or how they could be used or could just give me a name to go off of I would really appreciate it.

 

[SolarRat]

They are pool heater panels. Drive through Florida on trash day and you'll usually find stacks of them. The sun breaks them down over time and they start to leak. That one looks worse than most I see in the trash, so...I dont think it's worth repairing, and just one wouldn't be much use for anything (most pools use at least 5 panels).

 

[Laughingman]

They are pool heater panels. Drive through Florida on trash day and you'll usually find stacks of them. The sun breaks them down over time and they start to leak. That one looks worse than most I see in the trash, so...I dont think it's worth repairing, and just one wouldn't be much use for anything (most pools use at least 5 panels).

Thank you very much for your help. Im sorry that this industry creates something so disposable but ill try to find someplace to scrap them and take my hot water situation back to the drawing board for now.