SolarWall Air Heating and Ventilation Systems

SolarWall system at GoodYear Tires. The SolarWall technology delivers one of the verifiably fastest solar paybacks. The system uses the suns energy to pre-heat ventilation air for commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-residential and agricultural buildings, as well as for crop and process drying applications. It substantially reduces traditional heating fuel expenses in a building integrated system which requires no maintenance and has a 30+ year lifespan. The SolarWall system also acts as a rain screen, and we now offer our new SolarWall 2-Stage System that offers even higher performance solar air heating. Independent monitoring data indicates that SolarWall systems can displace between 2050% of heating fuel consumption, depending on size and application.

Owens Corning was awarded the 2010 Solar Thermal Project of the year award by the Canadian Solar Industries Association for generating 3600 MWh of solar energy and displacing over 600 tons of CO2/year with their 18,000 ft2SolarWall system. Heating can typically be one of the largest energy expenditures in the building industry. The ability of a SolarWall system to address this energy usage and to displace a sizable amount of it - and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions - explains why the technology has such a compelling return on investment, and why "from an operational point of view, [it] is the greatest technology in the world." (Quote from Desmond Raymond, Parks Canada)

In the late 1970s, Conserval Engineering began developing methods to reduce energy consumption in industrial and commercial applications. By the 1990s, the company had invented one of the worlds most efficient ways to harness the suns energy to help heat buildings of all shapes, sizes and functions new or retrofit. The products apt name: The SolarWall system. Worldwide interest was sparked immediately, and the ingenuity of the SolarWall technology was recognized by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Resources Canada, Popular Science Magazine, R&D Magazine, and several others.

3M Canada's SolarWall system at their Perth Ontario location. The SolarWall technology has lead the way ever since in defining the global solar air heating industry, both scientifically and in world-wide applications, with customers such as Ford Motor Company, 3M, Prologis, GM, Toyota, FedEx, Bombardier, the U.S. Military, and many more in over 30 countries. The high level of architectural versatility, combined with substantial energy savings and LEED point generation, have made it a popular renewable energy technology for building owners, facility managers and architects. "[SolarWall is in the] top two percent of energy related inventions."

How the SolarWall Technology Provides Fresh Air & Free Heat
Product description: The SolarWall solar air heating system The SolarWall air heating system is a custom engineered solution containing many internal and external components. It uses solar energy to heat and ventilate indoor spaces in new and retrofit applications, as well as to heat air for manufacturing process and agricultural crop drying applications. The system design is optimized to maximize energy delivery with a minimum amount of static pressure in the airflow. The most visible component of the system tends to be the exterior metal solar cladding;

however a significant amount of the science behind SolarWall is in the internal framing design and component shapes. Special vent-slit perforated collector panels are installed several inches from a south facing wall, creating an air cavity. (Southeast, southwest, east, and west wall are also possible.) The SolarWall cladding (transpired solar collector) is heated by the solar radiation from the sun, and ventilation fans create negative pressure in the air cavity, drawing in the solar heated air through the exterior panel perforations. The proprietary manufacturing equipment and design process - for both the panels and the framing system - are used to control the amount of airflow through the perforations. This maintains a consistent draw across the entire wall surface and ensures the cooler air beyond the heated boundary layer is not introduced into the air stream. The air is generally taken off the top of the wall (since hot air rises) and that ensures that all of the solar heat produced is collected. The heated air is then ducted into the building via a connection to the HVAC intake. On a sunny day, the air entering the air handling unit will already be heated anywhere from 30-70F (16-38C) for a conventional SolarWall system and 36-100F (20-55C) for a 2-Stage SolarWall system. This reduces, or may even eliminate, the conventional heating load during the day. The solar heated fresh air is then distributed into the building through the existing HVAC system or with separate air makeup fans and perforated ducting. There are many variations to the SolarWall technology, based on a building's energy requirements or a customer's objectives. Examples include conventional single-stage SolarWall systems that can be styled, shaped and angled in a variety of colors; 2-Stage SolarWall systems for higher temperature rises; and rooftop SolarDuct systems (these are usually 2-Stage systems to deliver higher temperature rises). SolarWall Schematic Diagrams

2-Stage SolarDuct

2-Stage SolarWall

SolarWall Interior Fan

SolarWall Rooftop HVAC

As well as providing on-site renewable energy, the SolarWall technology is also commonly specified when increased ventilation air is required, or for building remediation purposes when exterior cladding has to be replaced. In retrofit applications, SolarWall systems are one of the few technologies that can be: a) easily integrated into an existing building, and b) cost-effective in reducing a large amount of energy. A SolarWall system also acts as a rain screen. The SolarWall technology can also make an excellent addition to a HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) systemby preheating the incoming ventilation air and increasing the system efficiency. Overall, decades of research and field experience ensures that whatever the design considerations may be, the SolarWall system will perform at an optimal efficiency. Performance and Economics The performance of the SolarWall technologies have been established through extensive testing and third party monitoring by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Natural Resources Canada, and numerous others in countries around the world. This

independent third party verification has substantiated the energy savings that the SolarWall systems deliver. The SolarWall technology provides free heat for the life of the building Delivers air temperature rises of 30-100F (16-55C) above ambient depending on flow rate Generates annual CO2 savings of 1 ton for each 5 square meters (50 square feet) of collector It reduces annual heating costs by $2 - $8 per square foot ($20-$80 per square meter) of collector, depending on the type and cost of fuel displaced It delivers ventilation air that can represent up to 50% of a buildings heating energy needs Contributes 1.5 3.5 therms/ft2 (1.5 3.5 GJ/m2) of energy per year High solar efficiency (up to 80%) SolarWall systems are comparable to the cost of a brick wall, and the total installed cost after tax considerations and possible grants can mean a SolarWall system may be less expensive than other metal or masonry wall options Even on cloudy days, the system provides significant energy savings as a preheating system for ventilation air Lowers summer cooling costs by shading the inner wall from direct sunlight Maintenance free over its 40+ year lifespan

Typical SolarWall Construction

1-SolarWall panels on typical block wall construction 2-SolarWall panels on typical metal wall construction

SolarWall 2-Stage - High Performance Solar Air Heating

View the record-breaking temperatures rises of 36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient being delivered from recent SolarWall 2-Stage installations!

Up to 50%+ More Thermal Energy Independent testing and field applications have shown that SolarWall 2-Stage will deliver up to 50+% more energy than a conventional SolarWall system, with temperature rises over 100F being achieved on a regular basis. The SolarWall air heating technology has always generated an impressive economic return for commercial & industrial buildings due to its high efficiency & low capital costs. It has been primarily used for ventilation heating or process applications, with a consistent trackrecord of delivering high energy performance in

all projects around the world. SolarWall 2-Stage is the latest version of the SolarWall technology and it builds on the technological success of the original solar air heating system. SolarWall 2-Stage has been configured to deliver a higher temperature rise up to36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient temperature. It is also ideally suited for windy locations and roof-mount projects. [And as the wind speed increases, the energy output of the 2-stage system will continue to increase relative to the conventional SolarWall system.] It operates on the same premise as the original SolarWall technology in that outside air is heated and drawn into an air cavity via tiny mirco-perforations in the SolarWall collector. With the 2-Stage system, the air is then heated a second time (which boosts the temperature rise) as it passes though a second stage of the system. The solar heated air is then directed into the buildings ventilation system - or through a dedicated SolarWall fan & ducting system - where it is distributed throughout the building.

Features & Advantages

Higher energy output that substantially lowers heating bills

Delivers significantly more thermal energy (as much as 50%) than a conventional low-flow SolarWall system Heats air 36-100 F (20-55 C) above ambient on a sunny day Maintenance free Up to 10+ LEED Points Heats fresh air and improves indoor air quality Destratification savings for industrial buildings Provides both space heating & ventilation air heating Huge reduction in CO2 emissions Building integrated - variety of colours

Defense Logistics Agency 7-Eleven Store - Japan Agassiz Elementary School - Agassiz BC - PA Eielson Air Force Base Alaska

Plattsburgh International Foley Catholic School Ontario Fort Drum - NY Fort MCCoy - Wisconsin Airport 2 Walls - New York

Plattsburgh International Airport Roof - New York Portsmouth Naval Station - Maine Process Drying Leather Mexico Yonge Street Mission, Genesis Place Homes Toronto

Featured SolarWall 2-Stage Case Study: Plattsburgh International Airport Location: Plattsburgh, New York Project Completed: 2011 Summary: The SolarWall 2-Stage system uses the standard unglazed SolarWall for the lower portion of the wall, with the top SolarWall portion of the unit (2nd stage) covered by polycarbonate glazing. It is attached to the walls by framing materials, which are spaced to provide optimized channels for air flow between the SolarWall and the wall.
type: pdf | size: 202 kB

SolarDuct Modular Rooftop Solar Air Heating System

SolarDuct is based on the highly efficient and award-winning SolarWall system. The technology has been specifically engineered for roof settings and for applications in which a traditional wall mounted system is not feasible. Like the original SolarWall technology, SolarDuct is a solar heating system that heats ventilation air before it enters the air handling units. The patented system uses an all-metal collector panel (transpired solar collector) and is suitable for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. Perforations in the panels allow the heat that normally collects on a dark surface to be uniformly drawn through the SolarDuct panel and then ducted into the conventional HVAC system. The SolarDuct system is optimized to meet site conditions in terms of orientation towards the sun and proximity to rooftop air handling units. The modular arrays are sized according to the energy requirements of the building.

SolarDuct Features & Advantages

Heats ventilation air using the highest performing and lowest cost solar collector on the market Collector efficiency up to 80% Easy to install modular rooftop units Optimized to meet site conditions Internally ballasted or fastened system which is quick to assemble and simple to integrate into existing air intake system

Individual units are 6 by 4 and each produces 1000 watts of thermal energy Typical string length is 48 feet long (8 units) with no limit to array size, and will deliver up to 2000 CFM of heated ventilation air and 8kW of heating Substantial CO2 displacement

Conserval Engineering Inc - Toronto, Ontario

Joliet Junior College Maintenance Building - IL

Kecskemet - Hungary Mainland Commons Halifax

NRG - Winnipeg, Manitoba Renault Dealership - Spain

Toyota Dealership - Spain

Western Oregon University - Oregon

More Information on SolarDuct and SolarDuct PV/T

Below are SolarDuct leaflets that contain additional information on SolarDuct solar air heating & the SolarDuct PV/T co-generation option. Download the PDF (requires a PDF reader; e.g. Adobe Reader) or view online (requires Flash).

SolarWall Make-up Air Fan and Ventilation Systems

Industrial buildings typically exhaust large quantities of air. This air must be replaced, otherwise problems will occur such as cold drafts around doors, reverse flows through gravity vents and chimneys, and inefficient operation of mechanical exhaust equipment. The SolarWall fan system is a low cost method to remedy these problems. It can: reduce heating costs by utilizing stratified heat under the ceiling destratify indoor air temperatures from ceiling to floor permit exhaust systems to operate properly during the heating season eliminate cold drafts due to the infiltration of outdoor air prevent reverse flow through gravity vents and chimneys

improve the operation of heating equipment solve indoor air quality problem

Wall mounted SolarWall make-up air fan, with fabric duct The unit consists of: a fan unit modulating mixing dampers proportional temperature control fan, dampers and controls all prewired for easy installation flame retardant fabric duct with precision jet openings

The ducting system: eliminates blasts of air from air make-up units improves air distribution evens out cold and hot spots saves energy and money has a payback of less than one year

The SolarWall duct system is flame retardant perforated polyethylene ducting that can be easily retrofitted to existing or new air equipment. It is hung below a roof from a steel cable using hooks and is available in many stock diameters, and three different configurations. Each duct is custom perforated and cut to length. Winter mode is available for heated air make-up applications with fixed air jet hole positions to mix outside air with the stratified heat under the ceiling. Summer cooling mode has holes pointing down to direct the

air onto the working floor. Summer/winter mode ducts have supports on the top and bottom of the duct, allowing it to be rotated 180o. This allows the duct to blow air downwards in summer and upwards in winter.

SolarWall Fan Unit Construction

FRAME CASING DAMPERS FAN BEARINGS CONTROLS Welded structural angle iron Prime galvanized steel 18 & 20 gauge Extruded low leakage aluminum dampers mounted in bronze bushings Six bladed heavy-duty propeller Self-aligning pillow blocks pre-lubricated Automatic temperature control in control panel or remote

SolarWall 2-Stage - High Performance Solar Air Heating

View the record-breaking temperatures rises of 36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient being delivered from recent SolarWall 2-Stage installations!

Up to 50%+ More Thermal Energy Independent testing and field applications have shown that SolarWall 2-Stage will deliver up to 50+% more energy than a conventional SolarWall system, with temperature rises over 100F being achieved on a regular basis. The SolarWall air heating technology has always generated an impressive economic return for commercial & industrial buildings due to its high efficiency & low capital costs. It has been primarily used for ventilation heating or process applications, with a consistent trackrecord of delivering high energy performance in all projects around the world.

SolarWall 2-Stage is the latest version of the SolarWall technology and it builds on the technological success of the original solar air heating system. SolarWall 2-Stage has been configured to deliver a higher temperature rise up to36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient temperature. It is also ideally suited for windy locations and roof-mount projects. [And as the wind speed increases, the energy output of the 2-stage system will continue to increase relative to the conventional SolarWall system.] It operates on the same premise as the original SolarWall technology in that outside air is heated and drawn into an air cavity via tiny mirco-perforations in the SolarWall collector. With the 2-Stage system, the air is then heated a second time (which boosts the temperature rise) as it passes though a second stage of the system. The solar heated air is then directed into the buildings ventilation system - or through a dedicated SolarWall fan & ducting system - where it is distributed throughout the building.

Features & Advantages

Higher energy output that substantially lowers heating bills Delivers significantly more thermal energy (as much as 50%) than a

conventional low-flow SolarWall system Heats air 36-100 F (20-55 C) above ambient on a sunny day Maintenance free Up to 10+ LEED Points Heats fresh air and improves indoor air quality Destratification savings for industrial buildings Provides both space heating & ventilation air heating Huge reduction in CO2 emissions Building integrated - variety of colours

Defense Logistics Agency

7-Eleven Store - Japan

Agassiz Elementary School - Agassiz BC

- PA

Eielson Air Force Base Alaska

Plattsburgh International Foley Catholic School Ontario Fort Drum - NY Fort MCCoy - Wisconsin Airport 2 Walls - New York

Plattsburgh International Airport Roof - New York Portsmouth Naval Station - Maine Process Drying Leather Mexico Yonge Street Mission, Genesis Place Homes Toronto

SolarWall Make-up Air Fan and Ventilation Systems

Industrial buildings typically exhaust large quantities of air. This air must be replaced, otherwise problems will occur such as cold drafts around doors, reverse flows through gravity vents and chimneys, and inefficient operation of mechanical exhaust equipment. The SolarWall fan system is a low cost method to remedy these problems. It can: reduce heating costs by utilizing stratified heat under the ceiling

destratify indoor air temperatures from ceiling to floor permit exhaust systems to operate properly during the heating season eliminate cold drafts due to the infiltration of outdoor air prevent reverse flow through gravity vents and chimneys improve the operation of heating equipment solve indoor air quality problem

Wall mounted SolarWall make-up air fan, with fabric duct The unit consists of: a fan unit modulating mixing dampers proportional temperature control fan, dampers and controls all prewired for easy installation flame retardant fabric duct with precision jet openings

The ducting system: eliminates blasts of air from air make-up units improves air distribution evens out cold and hot spots saves energy and money has a payback of less than one year

The SolarWall duct system is flame retardant perforated polyethylene ducting that can be easily retrofitted to existing or new air equipment. It is hung below a roof from a steel cable using hooks and is available in many stock diameters, and three different configurations. Each duct is

custom perforated and cut to length. Winter mode is available for heated air make-up applications with fixed air jet hole positions to mix outside air with the stratified heat under the ceiling. Summer cooling mode has holes pointing down to direct the air onto the working floor. Summer/winter mode ducts have supports on the top and bottom of the duct, allowing it to be rotated 180o. This allows the duct to blow air downwards in summer and upwards in winter.

SolarWall 2-Stage - High Performance Solar Air Heating

View the record-breaking temperatures rises of 36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient being delivered from recent SolarWall 2-Stage installations!

Up to 50%+ More Thermal Energy Independent testing and field applications have shown that SolarWall 2-Stage will deliver up to 50+% more energy than a conventional SolarWall system, with temperature rises over 100F being achieved on a regular basis. The SolarWall air heating technology has always generated an impressive economic return for commercial & industrial buildings due to its high efficiency & low capital costs. It has been primarily used for ventilation heating or process applications, with a consistent trackrecord of delivering high energy performance in all projects around the world. SolarWall 2-Stage is the latest version of the SolarWall technology and it builds on the technological success of the original solar air heating system. SolarWall 2-Stage has been configured to deliver a higher temperature rise up to36-100 F ( 20-55 C) above ambient temperature. It is also ideally suited for windy locations and roof-mount projects. [And as the wind speed increases, the energy output of the 2-stage system will continue to increase relative to the conventional SolarWall system.] It operates on the same premise as the original SolarWall technology in that outside air is heated and drawn into an air cavity via tiny mirco-perforations in the SolarWall collector. With the 2-Stage system, the air is

then heated a second time (which boosts the temperature rise) as it passes though a second stage of the system. The solar heated air is then directed into the buildings ventilation system - or through a dedicated SolarWall fan & ducting system - where it is distributed throughout the building.

Features & Advantages

Higher energy output that substantially lowers heating bills Delivers significantly more thermal energy (as much as 50%) than a conventional low-flow SolarWall system Heats air 36-100 F (20-55 C) above ambient on a sunny day Maintenance free Up to 10+ LEED Points Heats fresh air and improves indoor air quality Destratification savings for industrial buildings Provides both space heating & ventilation air heating

Huge reduction in CO2 emissions Building integrated - variety of colours

Defense Logistics Agency 7-Eleven Store - Japan Agassiz Elementary School - Agassiz BC - PA Eielson Air Force Base Alaska

Plattsburgh International Foley Catholic School Ontario Fort Drum - NY Fort MCCoy - Wisconsin Airport 2 Walls - New York

Plattsburgh International Airport Roof - New York Portsmouth Naval Station - Maine Process Drying Leather Mexico Yonge Street Mission, Genesis Place Homes Toronto

SolarDuct Modular Rooftop Solar Air Heating System

SolarDuct is based on the highly efficient and award-winning SolarWall system. The technology has been specifically engineered for roof settings and for applications in which a

traditional wall mounted system is not feasible. Like the original SolarWall technology, SolarDuct is a solar heating system that heats ventilation air before it enters the air handling units. The patented system uses an all-metal collector panel (transpired solar collector) and is suitable for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. Perforations in the panels allow the heat that normally collects on a dark surface to be uniformly drawn through the SolarDuct panel and then ducted into the conventional HVAC system. The SolarDuct system is optimized to meet site conditions in terms of orientation towards the sun and proximity to rooftop air handling units. The modular arrays are sized according to the energy requirements of the building.

SolarDuct Features & Advantages

Heats ventilation air using the highest performing and lowest cost solar collector on the market Collector efficiency up to 80% Easy to install modular rooftop units Optimized to meet site conditions Internally ballasted or fastened system which is quick to assemble and simple to integrate into existing air intake system Individual units are 6 by 4 and each produces 1000 watts of thermal energy Typical string length is 48 feet long (8 units) with no limit to array size, and will deliver up to 2000 CFM of heated ventilation air and 8kW of heating Substantial CO2 displacement

Conserval Engineering Inc - Toronto, Ontario

Joliet Junior College Maintenance Building - IL

Kecskemet - Hungary Mainland Commons Halifax

NRG - Winnipeg, Manitoba Renault Dealership - Spain

Toyota Dealership - Spain

Western Oregon University - Oregon

More Information on SolarDuct and SolarDuct PV/T

Below are SolarDuct leaflets that contain additional information on SolarDuct solar air heating & the SolarDuct PV/T co-generation option. Download the PDF (requires a PDF reader; e.g. Adobe Reader) or view online (requires Flash).

NightSolar Solar Cooling System

The patented NightSolar systems remove energy from the air to cool buildings without the use of compressors or refrigeration systems. This solar cooling technology is partly based on the scientific principle of nocturnal radiation, which can cool a roof by as much as 10C (18F) below ambient temperature on a clear night. As warm night air touches the cooler surface of the NightSolar system, it transfers its heat to the surface, which cools the air. The chilled air is then drawn in through perforations in the collector and enters the HVAC unit via an economizer cycle. This cooling has the ability to reduce or even displace conventional air conditioning from sunset to sunrise. During the daytime, the NightSolar

system keeps the roof in the dark and thereby reduces daytime heat gains normally received through the roof. Recent field monitored NightSolar installations are reporting as much as a 50% overall cooling savings on buildings using existing fans and economizers.

Features & Advantages

A NightSolar system is an extremely versatile energy system that can be configured to deliver a myriad of other benefits as well, including:

NightSolar; The first commercially available solar cooling system that reduces the cooling load on a building by up to 50%. Solar space heating in the winter Above sheathing ventilation (ASV) for both steep and low slope roofs Virtually eliminates solar gain through roof Significantly reduces the expansion and contraction issues that occur with a majority of metal roofs Optional integration with photovoltaics (PV) Optional solar water heating Rainwater catchment compatible Extends roof life

Benefits of NightSolar Ventilated Roof

NightSolar systems utilize a ventilated roof design (also known as above-sheathing ventilation) that is highly desirable for all buildings with metal roofs. This reduces daytime cooling by shading & ventilating the roof, meaning that unwanted solar heat is naturally vented while drying any condensation that may have occurred on the roof. Oak Ridge National Laboratory states "we serendipitously discovered the second major advance in roofs for our century: We found that elevating the roof cover from the roof deck to induce above-sheathing ventilation is as important as increasing solar reflectance and

may be the stronger player in reducing heat gain into the attic. The two combined can reduce heat gain through the roof by 50% compared to nailed asphalt shingle roofs. "

Solar Energy; 24/7

NighSolar systems are unmatched in the realm of solar energy systems in that they can be configured to offer solar energy generation and conventional energy displacement up to 24 hours a day, all year long. This has been made possible because the solar collector surface can be used for both cooling (in the warmer months) and also heating (in colder months). The end result to the building owner is substantial energy savings that occurs from reducing on-site cooling and heating costs by up to 50%. The system also qualifies for the 30% federal solar tax credit.

The NightSolar system was developed by the inventors of the SolarWall technology, and it utilizes the same vent-slit-perforated collector that is used in the SolarWall air heating system. This allows for both summer space cooling and winter solar space heating. Storage of heat and cold energy is also possible with separate thermal storage tanks via heat exchangers.

PV/Thermal; Hybrid Solar Heating + Electricity

SolarWall PV/T is a hybrid system which provides up to 300% more energy (in the form of solar electricity + solar heat) than a conventional solar PV system. The heat energy captured from the PV modules is ducted into the buildings HVAC system where it is used to displace the conventional heating load. The secondary benefit is to provide PV cooling by reducing the operating temperature of the PV modules, which improves the electrical performance. Excess heat buildup behind PV panels is a common problem, and for every 1C (1.8F) above 25C (77F), the electrical output drops by 0.4 to 0.5 percent. Read more here.

SolarWall PV/T Value Proposition

Technology PV Electrical Output Watt / m2 100 Watts/m2 (10 Watts/ft2) 200-300 Watts/m2* (20-30 Watts/ft2) 300-400 Watts/m2 (30-40 Watts/ft2)

SolarWall Thermal Output

Hybrid SolarWall PV/T

*SolarWall system output when combined with PV Note: SolarWall output without PV is 500-600 Watts/m2

The hybrid PV/Thermal technology also produces the following additional benefits which collectively help to accelerate the PV system return on investment:

System addresses the majority of a buildings energy requirements, which is both heat and electricity The hybrid PV/T system will have dramatically higher life cycle cost savings when compared to a convention PV system because of the heat energy from the SolarWall component.

The SolarWall thermal air panels replace the conventional racking system needed to mount PV. Huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Displacing the heating load is typically a direct source reduction from CO2 because the fuel being displaced is usually natural gas or heating oil.

Hedges against both electricity and heating costs Also hedges against future legislation on renewable energy, GHG emissions, and energy efficiency in the building sector Allows for the production of two types of solar energy from one footprint

SolarDuct PV/T
The technology is also available in a modular roof-top configuration known as SolarDuct PV/T. In this application, the PV modules are mounted on top of the SolarDuct units, and then heat is drawn off the back of the PV modules and ducted to the nearest rooftop air handling unit. This excess heat is then channeled into the buildings HVAC system where it offsets the heating load. Since the thermal heating panels do double-duty by also acting as the PV racking system, this also contributes to the cost-effectiveness of the hybrid system. The modular units are easy to install and are angled at an ideal orientation for maximum solar gain.

Capturing the Heat & PV Cooling

Above, SolarWall system at Natural Resources Canada's CANMET Buidling in Ottawa. The SolarWall system was upgraded to a hybrid PV/T system in 2010, delivering both solar heated air and electricity to the building. Conserval Engineering originated the concept of combining PV with the SolarWall technology. The objective was to address some of the problems inherent with conventional photovoltaics, and to develop a solution that would further enhance PV as a viable renewable energy solution for regular commercial and industrial buildings. Two problems that can make PV unattractive are the lengthy payback periods and the low solar efficiencies. The hybrid PV/T system provides a solution to both of these problems. Typical PV modules have a solar conversion efficiency up to 15%. What happens to the rest of the suns energy that shines on the panels? Most of it is converted into heat energy, which normally is lost and provides no value to the system owner. As well, the heat buildup behind PV modules reduces the electrical output by 0.4-0.5% for every 1C above its rated output temperature, which is 25C (77F). For every 1C (1.8F) above 25C, the electrical output drops by 0.4 to 0.5 percent. A typical rooftop PV array may measure 55 to 75C (131 to 167F), which means its electrical output would fall by 12 to 25 per cent below the name plate rating. For example, a 10-kW array only generates 7.5 to 8.8 kW under these temperature conditions. A PV/T system lowers the photovoltaic temperature by 10 to 20C (18 to 36F), which increases the electrical output by five to 10 per cent, or an extra 0.5 to 1 kW for a 10-kW array. The performance of the SolarWall PV/T hybrid technology was established through testing at the National Solar Test Facility, in conjunction with the International Energy Agency Task 35. The results documented that adding the SolarWall thermal component to a PV array boosts the total solar efficiency to over 50%, compared with 10 to 15% efficiency for most

PV modules alone. The heat from the PV panels, captured by the SolarWall perforated absorber, was documented to be three times more than the electrical energy generated from the PV modules. This means that by being able to uniformly capture and utilize the excess heat, it becomes possible to realize an energy output improvement in the range of 200-300%, depending on air flow and other design considerations. The test data also showed that the temperature gain from the PV modules is between 6C to 20C or well within the typical range for a conventional single-stage SolarWall solar heating system.

How SolarWall PV/T Systems Work:

The SolarWall PV/T technology is a building integrated solution that solves the overheating problems found in most building integrated PV (BIPV) systems by removing the heat from the back of the PV modules. PV modules are mounted on top of the SolarWall panels, which act as the PV racking system. The heat is drawn off the back of the PV modules and is ducted into the building's conventional HVAC system where it offsets the heating load.

PV - with SolarWall behind - ensures uniform air cooling around each PV module.

The SolarWall system keeps the air circulating evenly around the PV modules, which can cool the PV modules by as much as 20 degrees C. This can increase the electrical output by 10%.

The hybrid system delivers both heat energy and electricity in usable form.

In warmer weather, dampers are used to direct the heat away from the building if the energy is not required. Strategic placement of PV modules is important to maximize the cooling benefit. When PV modules get placed in an unbroken line up the slope of a roof, it is difficult to dissipate the heat between the panels and the top part of an array will normally overheat. With the addition of the SolarWall component, small gaps are left between each PV module, further helping to prevent excessive heat buildup.

The technology works with any conventional PV module and can be custom engineered based on site conditions. The electrical and heating outputs of the system are sized based on the energy requirements of the building. The hybrid technology is also available in a modular rooftop version called SolarDuct PV/T.

Consider This: On a sunny day, 100 watts/ft2 of solar radiation shines down on a solar PV array. 10-15 watts/ft2 convert ed into electricity by the PV panels 10 watts/ft2 lost due to reflection off the PV glass 75-80 watts/ft2 converted into heat energy. With a conventional PV array, this sizable form of energy is not utilized for heating purposes, and in fact decreases the electrical output of the PV if it is not dissipated. The SolarWall / SolarDuct system recovers half or 35-50 watts/ft2 of thermal energy for heating buildings

SolarWall Solar Drying Adds to both Yield & Bottom Line

9,000ft2 SolarWall system is used to dry coffee beans at this plantation in Panama. The SolarWall technology is used for a variety of agricultural process applications. In addition to its substantial usage for poultry and livestock ventilation it is also ideally suited for other agricultural applications, such as crop and process drying. Many of the worlds most important crops need to be dried to remove moisture as part of the production process. Removing the moisture from crops such a coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa, nuts, fruit, rice, spices, corn, etc. is an essential process that helps transform the raw goods into the final product. It is also extremely resource intensive when using mechanical drying methods that rely on wood, propane or oil. In more traditional drying

operations, it is common for produce to be passively air-dried in the sun, which takes significantly longer than mechanical drying and can lead to a higher rate of spoilage and uneven moisture levels.

Agricultural and agri-food operators consume tremendous quantities of energy which represent a sizable proportion of their total input costs. Rising energy prices has been putting downward pressure on agricultural incomes in countries around the world, which is why solar energy represents a tremendous opportunity for the agricultural sector. For these reasons, upgrading the drying operations to include solar yields a double-benefit in terms of: (1) Energy savings, and (2) Producing the best possible finished food-product. SolarWall systems have been used for drying coffee, tea, spices, cocoa, herbs, fruits, nuts, rubber, rice, manure, lumber and many other products in countries around the world. It can either act as a stand along system, or as a preheat to traditional mechanical operations, and can be easily incorporated into tunnel, trough or conveyor dryers. As well, many food products require low temperature heat (i.e. up to 50 C or 120 F) which SolarWall systems are ideally suited to deliver. This preserves the quality of the produce, which produces a higher yield. As well, the SolarWall technology removes humidity from the incoming air because it is heated before entering the building or drying chamber, which means that the air has been preconditioned to absorb more moisture. Proper drying is also associated with a decreased incidence of mycotoxins, especially on corn (maize) and other crops. Adequate drying of crops is essential to help minimize the risk of mould growth and mycotoxins after the harvesting of crops, and solar drying is considered to be an effective preventative measure against mycotoxins.

Workers at the Malabar solar tea drying facility in Indonesia. SolarWall systems are also highly effective and cost-efficient in other process drying and heating applications. Dryers need low grade heat sources to heat large volumes of air. Many commercial dryers run on fuels that burn hot; in many cases, more heat is produced than is actually needed and goes to waste. Not so with SolarWall systems. From commercial drying of laundry, to drying woods and manure, to curing leathers, and from heating swimming pools to preheating combustion air for furnaces, SolarWall drying systems work without fuel waste, and sometimes without any fuel use at all! For products or processes that require higher temperature heat, SolarWall systems can still act in a pre-heating capacity and displace a percentage of the total heating costs. Many traditional drying systems use wood for fuel, which exacerbates deforestation. Harnessing the power of solar energy for heating purposes reduces the quantity of trees that are harvested for fuel, which is very beneficial to curbing deforestation.

The heat from the SolarWall system is used to dry fire hoses in this LEED Gold Fire Hall in Richmond, BC. Each square meter of SolarWall panelling produce the same amount of heat generated by a 500 watt heater. By installing a SolarWall system, burners not only get turned down, they often get turned off completely for extended periods of time. Every client can tell such a story and every client is enjoying substantial energy savings. For instance, the Sonoma Herb Exchangein California saves 31 million BTUs annually by displacing 325 gallons of propane that would be needed if fossil fuels were used instead of solar power. Keyawa Orchards, which dries over 12 million lbs. of walnuts every year, enjoys fuel savings of 1,431 million BTUs a year, with corresponding annual cost savings of $13,800. Coopeldos R.L.; a coffee installation in Costa Rica is enjoying annual savings of 25%. And on it goes. Click here for more examples. As a result, the same technology that lets the SolarWall technology lead the way in using solar energy to heat buildings is now setting solar crop drying and solar process heating standards worldwide for both agricultural and commercial applications.