NOVELTY - A solar collector comprises an absorber (3), an insulating layer (2) beneath the absorber, a cover pane (4) spaced above (3), and an outer frame (1) having side panels but not having an integral bottom panel beneath the insulating layer. Inner and outer side surfaces of the side panels are surrounding and embedded in a peripheral zone of (2) to adhere to (2) to obtain a warp resistant assembly.    USE - As solar collector (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The sheet material side panels are supported against buckling when the side surface of the side panels adheres to the insulation layer. Thus, the insulation layer becomes an integral bearing part of the solar collector. The resulting integral frame and insulation layer assembly is a stable unit with sufficient warp resistance for use in a solar collector. The integral frame and insulation layer assembly can be made from relatively inexpensive materials and by mass production techniques, thus allowing a significant reduction in production costs. The construction allows the frame material to be dimensioned lighter and therefore also offers an advantage in the amount of material consumed and results in a lighter solar collector. Further, a reduced weight is preferred both for transport and installation. The side panels surround and adheres the periphery of the insulating layer. This results in a frame that is particularly suitable for on roof mounting. The frame made of metal sheet material can be pre-coated or pre-painted, and thus the manufacturing step of coating/painting can be saved. Aluminum sheet frame is easy to handle and work with, light and if treated correctly also corrosion resistant. In contrast to the prior art solar collectors with cap strips, there is no direct mechanical contact or limitation between the parts. Thus, the relative displacement caused by the difference in coefficient of thermal linear expansion can be completely absorbed by shear in the layer of flexible adhesive sealant without any significant forces causing stress in the cover pane. The construction with the spacers allows a substantial and controllable thickness of the layer to ensure adequate flexibility over the complete operating temperature of the solar collector. The enclosure is protected from moisture by a two-stage barrier, thus, reducing the likeliness of leakage significantly. The layer of flexible adhesive attaches the underside of the cover pane in a secure and esthetically attractive fashion to the frame.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A solar collector comprises an absorber (3), an insulating layer (2) beneath the absorber, a cover pane (4) spaced above (3), and an outer frame (1) having side panels but not having an integral bottom panel beneath the insulating layer. Inner and outer side surfaces of the side panels are surrounding and embedded in a peripheral zone of (2) to adhere to (2) to obtain a warp resistant assembly. The solar collector further comprises a continuous gasket between the side panels and first peripheral zone on the underside of the cover pane and a continuous layer of flexible adhesive sealant between the side panels and a second peripheral zone on the underside of the cover pane.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method for producing a solar collector comprising placing a frame of sheet material having the side panels of the collector but not an integral backsheet into a mold, closing the mold, filling the mold with a moldable insulation material, removing the frame and insulation assembly from the mold and fitting the absorber and cover pane on the frame and insulation assembly.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cutaway perspective view of the solar collector.    outer frame (1)    insulating layer (2)    absorber (3)    cover pane (4)