Product category:
Roofing
News Release from: CA Group | Subject: Self-heating building technology
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 January 2008
Zero-carbon daytime heating now a
reality
Recent report has proven that simple self-heating building technology can contribute over 50% of a building's heating requirement, CO2-free.
Report released by consulting engineers and environmental building specialists Battle McCarthy follows an earlier one issued by BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association), which conclusively demonstrates the effectiveness of the Transpired Solar Collector (known as SolarWall), a CO2-free building heating system With this system, during daylight hours, no energy is required other than solar radiation, regardless of how cold the ambient temperature
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Jan 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Battle McCarthy's new report carries on from the BSRIA report with a specific study into a new 1240 sq m Transpired Solar Collector, which is being installed by commercial property giant ProLogis.
The new development, at Sideway, Staffordshire, will be an industrial warehouse building of 18,500 sq m, and the report concludes that this, and buildings like it, can save over 50% on heating (an overall energy contribution of up to 20%).
This means it will comfortably meet the Merton Rule for low carbon planning: at least 10% carbon reduction delivered by renewable energy sources.
The SolarWall is a perforated outer cladding that absorbs solar radiation, even on the coldest days, to create a current of warmed air that circulates into the building.
SolarWall operates during daylight conditions, and is computerised to either supplement or completely override the building's standard central heating system, enabling buildings which require daytime heating to save significantly on cost.
One of SolarWall's main advantages over other renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines or ground source heat pumps, is its cost-efficiency.
The heating costs it saves enables the SolarWall system to pay for itself in as little as three years when installed on a new-build, and within eight years when fitted to an existing building.
The perforated metal cladding can be mounted as an 'extra' skin to the southerly elevations of a building (where solar gain is greatest), either as retrofit or new-build.
Unlike photovoltaic solar panels, it contains no liquids or wires - instead it simply utilises the sun's energy to heat external air as it is drawn through the surface of the perforated metal cladding.
This heated fresh air can then be used as building ventilation, or as heated air to provide some or all of the buildings heating requirements.
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