Learn the fundementals of solar heating technologies
The Technology
Solar air heating uses wall or roof mounted collector panels to capture the sun's energy and preheat the fresh air drawn into a building's ventilation system before that air ever reaches your furnace or HVAC unit.
Unlike solar water systems, no pipes, pumps, or heat exchangers are needed. The air itself is the working fluid, making solar air collectors one of the simplest, most durable forms of solar thermal technology available.
Commercial warehouses, agricultural buildings, airports, and residences around the world use solar air heating to dramatically cut their energy bills especially in climates with cold winters and abundant winter sunshine.
How a transpired solar air collector works
This two-stage solar air heating system uses a perforated collector to pre-heat fresh outside air
Before drawing it through a glazed, wind-shielded chamber to superheat the air up to 40°C (75°F) above ambient temperatures
The heated air is then fed directly into the building's HVAC unit, displacing 20–50% of the heating load while utilizing an automated bypass damper for summer cooling.
50%
reduction in building heating costs
30+
year system lifespan with minimal maintenance
$0
operating costs powered entirely by the sun
50+
countries with active solar air heating installations
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Research Support Facility (RSF)
Golden, Colorado - United States of America
CANMET - Materials Technology Laboratory (LEED® Platinum)
Hamilton, Ontario - Canada
Roof mounted solar air heater in France
France
Greater Toronto Airport Authority,
Ontario - Canada
Glazed residential solar air heating system
Japan
Supermarket
MISKOLC, HUNGARY
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Learn about Solar Space Heating. Solar space heating with air solar collectors is more popular in USA and Canada heating with solar water collectors since most buildings already have a ventilation system for heating and cooling..
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Space heating for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings can account for over half of a building’s total energy requirements and solar energy can displace a large percentage of this heating requirement
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Here you will find links to independent third party resources (Government agencies, etc) providing information, studies on solar heating (specifically solar air heating, or solar air heaters and solar collectors).
Read the Research →