Joe Blake
2nd May 2009, 04:42
On the ABC TV program "New Inventors".
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2553705.htm
How it Works
SolaMate is a novel solar panel that can heat, cool and ventilate a building using solar energy. The core invention of the SolaMate panel is a simple plastic extrusion able to harvest solar energy very efficiently. It is specifically designed for easy, affordable and high volume manufacture.
The plastic outer layers of the extrusion allow solar energy to pass through where it is trapped inside a honeycomb-like cross section. The outer layers act like a triple glazing system so the solar energy cannot escape. Air is naturally drawn through the honeycomb section, efficiently harvesting the heat energy and transferring it into the house using a fan and ducting. The effect of the triple glazing is significant because it means the solar panel continues to work well on cold and partially cloudy days provided there is some sunshine.
The other benefit of using fresh outside air is that it works very well as a night time cooling system in summer. Bringing in fresh, cool air all night can significantly cool the home reducing one’s need for air conditioning in the day time. The system utilises a smart controller to work out when to turn it on and off automatically so the home owner can have responsive heating and cooling of their home without having to think about it.
SolaMate is specifically designed for high volume manufacture, allowing panels with a greater surface area to be produced at a lower cost, which in turn increases the capacity and efficiency of the system, allowing solar heating and cooling of a home to be economically viable for the average household.
What I like is that it can also be used to COOL the house in summer time. I've no problem with keeping my house warm, now that I've finished insulating it, but I'd like to be able to "throw away" some of the heat it collects inside after 4-5 days of 40+ degrees centigrade.
Joe
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2553705.htm
How it Works
SolaMate is a novel solar panel that can heat, cool and ventilate a building using solar energy. The core invention of the SolaMate panel is a simple plastic extrusion able to harvest solar energy very efficiently. It is specifically designed for easy, affordable and high volume manufacture.
The plastic outer layers of the extrusion allow solar energy to pass through where it is trapped inside a honeycomb-like cross section. The outer layers act like a triple glazing system so the solar energy cannot escape. Air is naturally drawn through the honeycomb section, efficiently harvesting the heat energy and transferring it into the house using a fan and ducting. The effect of the triple glazing is significant because it means the solar panel continues to work well on cold and partially cloudy days provided there is some sunshine.
The other benefit of using fresh outside air is that it works very well as a night time cooling system in summer. Bringing in fresh, cool air all night can significantly cool the home reducing one’s need for air conditioning in the day time. The system utilises a smart controller to work out when to turn it on and off automatically so the home owner can have responsive heating and cooling of their home without having to think about it.
SolaMate is specifically designed for high volume manufacture, allowing panels with a greater surface area to be produced at a lower cost, which in turn increases the capacity and efficiency of the system, allowing solar heating and cooling of a home to be economically viable for the average household.
What I like is that it can also be used to COOL the house in summer time. I've no problem with keeping my house warm, now that I've finished insulating it, but I'd like to be able to "throw away" some of the heat it collects inside after 4-5 days of 40+ degrees centigrade.
Joe