CleanTechnica is the  in the world. Published on September 17th, 2012 | Affordable Solar-Powered Air Conditioner in a Neat Little Package is Finally Here September 17th, 2012 by Nicholas Brown Kingtec Solar* has developed affordable solar-powered air conditioning in a relatively neat package. Here are some of the key details: Cooling capacity: 16,000 BTU (4.7 kW of cooling capacity). Power consumption: 850 watts. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): 22.5. EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is a measure of the BTUs of cooling capacity per watt of power consumed): 18.8. Weight: 200 pounds (This is tremendous for a window air conditioner of this size! But it does contain extra parts for the solar setup). Why Solar Panels Are Not Integrated Directly into A/C Units A/C units tend to be shaded by the roofs of houses, as well as awnings, so they are usually not exposed to direct sunlight, and they shouldn’t be. It is best that they are kept as cool as possible.

This single issue is a big one, but as long as the solar panels can be a decent distance away, this isn’t a problem. Main Benefits of Solar Air Conditioning Normally, to solar power an air conditioner, you would have to buy an air conditioner, then a separate inverter, separate batteries, solar panels, and hire both an electrician and a building contractor to set up the system for you, and that costs a fair bit of money. Home solar power systems tend to cost $7 per watt in the United States (without tax credits), and around half of that cost is installation alone — this is because you have to hire contractors to set up the electronics such as the batteries, panels, etc. by hand. However, for situations where it works, there are some big advantages. The second benefit: Solar panels tend to generate more electricity at the same time that air conditioner power consumption increases. The fluctuating power consumption of air conditioners (caused by weather variation) is a problem for the electricity grid because power plants are not able to adjust their power production quickly enough to meet power demand spikes.

Cutting Your A/C Use Finally, while this is a clever invention which can take advantage of economies of scale (due to factory production), unlike traditional hand-built solar setups, you can substantially reduce your air conditioner usage using simple measures such as closing window blinds on some windows, opening other windows to facilitate ventilation, and much more. One of the greatest conservation tips of all is to use less energy (not reduce your standard of living, just turn things off when you aren’t using them — you don’t have to use them less to conserve energy), then go about obtaining energy from more sustainable sources, in general.alarm for ac unit Photo Credit: Kingtec Solarac unit motor cost *This article was financially supported by Kingtec Solar (after it had already been written and published).central air conditioning units types

Drive an electric car? Complete one of our short surveys for our next electric car report. Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter. © 2016   Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc. Back to Top ↑Heating and cooling accounts for more than half of the energy use in a typical U.S. home—about 54 percent of your utility bill—making it the largest energy expense for most homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Is it any wonder why most homeowners cringe when they open up their heating and cooling bills, particularly in years with bitterly cold winters and sweltering hot summers? But what if you could minimize the pain by substantially reducing—or in some instances even eliminating—your home’s energy costs? Solar may be the solution. Demand for solar energy in the United States is at an all-time high, according to DOE statistics.

In the first quarter of 2012, developers installed 85 percent more solar panels than they did during the same period the year before. And, with new innovations, advanced technology, and decreasing product and installation costs, solar is becoming more attractive to homeowners in search of a smart, cost-saving, and environmentally friendly solution. We reached out to Kevin Lyons, product manager and energy efficiency expert at Lennox, to learn what considerations homeowners should take into account when deciding whether solar is right for them. Does it matter where I live? Virtually all areas of the continental United States receive enough sunshine to justify adding solar power to a home’s heating and cooling system, but supplemental heat will be needed in regions where there is high heating demand and less winter sunlight—the northeast, for example. Home solar systems are typically used in conjunction with a heat pump to generate heating and cooling or to supplement air conditioning systems, according to Lyons.

“Solar energy generated by the Lennox SunSource Home Energy System, for example, is first used to power the heat pump or air conditioner. When the heating and cooling system is not in use, the solar energy can operate other appliances and electronics,” Lyons says. Any excess energy that’s not needed will be sent back to the utility company, possibly entitling the homeowner to a credit. Does it matter what type of heating and cooling system I currently have? Solar energy can be used to power both hydronic and forced-air heating systems. “Active” solar systems convert solar energy to either heated air or liquid and use that energy directly to heat an interior space or store the energy for later use. Typically, liquid systems are used when storage is included; they are suitable for use with radiant heating systems, boilers with hot water radiators, and heat pumps and coolers. What are the upfront costs to installing solar? Although each solar installation is unique, small residential systems are available from major home improvement chains and are priced from $3,000 to $6,000 for backup power systems;

industry estimates for the cost of a whole-home solar array run from $15,000 to $30,000 for the average household. “There are many variables that impact both the upfront cost and the payback period for installing solar,” Lyons explains. “These include the number of solar modules purchased and the type of HVAC system purchased as well as the types of solar incentives from states, cities, and utilities, which vary greatly across the United States.” Lyons points out that the Lennox SunSource system can be wired directly into a home’s HVAC system, making the system “solar ready” even if the homeowner decides to delay installing solar modules. What is the payback period for installing solar? Geographic location, local energy costs, and government incentives all impact the payback period for a home solar installation. “Depending on the local cost of electricity, the various incentives can lower the payback period to as few as five years,” Lyons states. “A federal 30 percent tax credit applies to all U.S. residential solar installations and applies to the entire installed cost.”