Solar energy collector

In a solar energy collector having a carrying structure of thermally insulating material in the shape of a rectangular plane panel, an absorber supported by said structure, connecting pipes going through said structure for connection to a liquid utilization installation, and a transparent cover in the shape of a first shell defining an outside wall and positioned over said structure and housing said absorber, the improvement comprising a second shell of suitable plastic material defining an outer wall and a sheet of thermally insulating, heat-resistant material, wherein said carrying structure of thermally insulating material is made up of a phenol foam plate sandwiched between said second shell of suitable plastic material and said sheet of thermally insulating, heat-resistant material, said second shell and said first shell constituting the cover of the collector and each being provided with a respective peripheral flange, said pipes extending through said sheet of thermally insulating, heat-resistant material, said carrying structure and said second shell, said thermally insulating, heat-resistant sheet being provided with a peripheral extension positoned between said flanges of said shells, including means for fastening said first shell to said second shell along their said peripheral flanges as a single joint and means for supporting said absorber free of contact with said outside walls.