Double-Duty Solar Panels
If you are relatively conversant about solar energy, you know that there is thermal solar power and photovoltaic (PV) solar power. But perhaps you’ll be surprised to hear about a Solar Wall that serves double-duty for solar power? That is, its a combination of both thermal and PV power!
An international company based in Toronto, Ontario, has a solar product that will keep you from shopping twice. SolarWall developed technology that combines a thermal wall with photovoltaics to create a PV/T “co-generation system,” that can maximize solar efficiency.
“By adding a solar thermal component to a PV array to capture excess heat, the total solar efficiency was boosted to over 50%, compared with the 10-15% efficiency typical of most stand-alone PV modules.”
In short, you can pre-heat outdoor air for use with a solar air heating system or perforated plate absorber for commercial or industrial applications.
Just watch how it works:
Not only can you save the environment by using this heating/electricity component, but it will also save you money over its 25-30 year lifespan. Customers rarely pay a heating bill with its use. Its a great consideration for government and industrial buildings. Add in current government tax incentives of at least 30% for renewable energy, and it looks even wiser!
The United States Department of Energy rates the SolarWall technology as in the “top two percent” of energy related innovations. Use of the solar wall at just one location in Canada is the equivalent of taking over 100 cars off the road, and saving more than $25,000 of heating costs! Investment payback is less than 5 years.
Considering the benefit to the environment, who wouldn’t want to install one of these systems?
Tags: double-duty solar power, pv solar power, solar duct, solar wall, thermal solar power
