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The Worlds Best Kept Secret – Transpired Solar Collectors
Not many people have heard of Transpired Solar Collectors (TSC). In essence it is a very simple way to harness energy from the sun and if installed while a new building is being constructed does not add much to the build cost and can make impressive energy savings.
M&S have just built the largest TSC in the UK under their sustainability program called Plan A.
M&S Project Manager at Castle Donington, said: “There’s a compelling case for renewable energy, both from a business and environmental point of view, when we build large, out-of-town sites. At our store in Cheshire Oaks a biomass boiler provides 70 per cent of the store’s heating and here at Castle Donington the solar wall was the best possible option with such a large, south facing wall. The technology offers one of the fastest returns on investment of any solar technology currently available.”
M&S used a US system called SolarWall® manufactured and installed under license within the UK by the CA Group.
The SolarWall® Transpired Solar Collector measures an enormous 4,334m², the equivalent of more than 16 tennis courts, and is expected to provide energy savings of 1.1GWh (the equivalent energy use of two large M&S stores) and estimated CO2savings of over 250 tonnes per year. This is the largest installation in the UK to date
Transpired Solar Collectors were developed in Canada and have been used for over 25 years. They are only now becoming more popular in the UK with the Government’s drive to improve our environment.
Most industrial and commercial buildings require large quantities of ventilation air to maintain a healthy work environment. In some months of the year this needs to be heated to provide a comfortable work environment.
Transpired Solar Collectors will be part of the Governments Green Deal. TSC’s are solely used for commercial and industrial buildings and are ideal for applications like schools or factories.
The key benefits are:
- Up to 50% Lower Fuel bills
- Pre-heats fresh air
- Improves indoor air quality
- Lowest solar technology cost
- Fast pay back – 3 to 12 years depending on fuel replacement
- Maintenance free
- 30 year life span
- Collector efficiency up to 80%
- Massive CO2 reduction
To learn more go to www.transpiredsolarcollectors.co.uk
Bob Evans
Sunreps agrees with all of the statements in this article. Sunreps also finds it amazing that the most cost-effective solar technology yet developed has not found significant commercial, industrial or agricultural traction it should command. I’m curious other peoples opinions of why TSC’s are not omni-present on commercial buildings in northern climates?