Solar-thermal collectors are part of the facade

AET, solar thermal, DWH, renewable energy

AET has launched a range of patented solar-thermal facade collectors for commercial and industrial applications. Copper Facade and aluminium Facade flat-plate solar collectors enable the facade to become an energy-saving element of a building’s architectural design. They provide an aesthetically attractive way for a building to harvest solar energy to produce hot water and space heating.

Made by Camel Solar Energy, these collectors are particularly suitable for applications where there is not enough space on a roof for a solar-thermal array or the roof cannot be used for other reasons.

These insulated units can also help weatherproof a facade and improve its thermal insulation. The collectors warm up, even with low levels of Winter sunlight, reducing the temperature difference between the interior and outer wall of the building and, hence, heat loss.

Installing units vertically evens out the solar energy falling on them during the year. During the Winter when the Sun is low in the sky, the take-up of solar radiation is maximised. However, during the Summer when the Sun is high in the sky, the vertical orientation helps limit the amount of energy falling on the unit.

An anti-dust coating ensures that these collectors are always free of snow and dirt.

Panels are 2.1 m long, 1 m wide and 85 mm deep.

For more information on this story, click here:  April 2012, 178
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