Gunter Schafer

Coconut Creek, FL (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

SolarTrump

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Location: Coconut Creek
Industry: Energy
Year Founded: 2008
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Description: NEW SOLAR WATER HEATING TECHNOLOGY Solar water heating is a rapidly expanding market. Rising energy prices ensure that it will continue to grow strongly. To date the main constraints to market growth have been: ? The length of time taken to recover the cost of the equipment and installation. ? Cost and difficulty of installing the panels due to their weight. ? The bulky appearance of panels on a roof. SCHAFER CONSULT has now come up with a, patent pending, solar panel that addresses these issues and takes solar technology into a whole new dimension. The frameless solar panel is made from multiwall polycarbonate sheet in a sandwich type construction together with polycarbonate headers and footers. The central layer is a specially developed 10mm. thick twin-wall sheet that runs vertically. On either side of this sheet are 16mm. triple-wall sheets running horizontally that act as insulation, and, at the same time, provide the required structural strength. These are treated for u/v protection. The fluid to be heated (water or anti-freeze solution) runs from the footer, through the central layer, and into the header. During this passage it gains heat from the sun. This heat can be considerable. For example, even on a moderately sunny day, panel heat gains of over 86°F per gallon in thirty minutes can be achieved. As well as being efficient the panel offers these distinct advantages over existing products. ? It will be considerably cheaper to manufacture than existing panels thus reducing the all important pay-back time for the consumer. ? The panels are light. A two 22.6 ft² panel would weigh than 24kg (53lb). This is about half the weight of most competitors and makes installation much easier and saves cost. ? At a thickness of 48mm (1.90in) the panels are much slimmer than the ones currently manufactured, which can be up to three times thicker. ? These panels are less obtrusive and can be incorporated as part of the roof structure thus making them more appealing. ? Average Performance: At an average output of 0.800kWh/m², a panel of 2.25m² (24.4ft²) provides 1.800kWh. Based on 1800 sun hours annually, a single panel provides 3,240kW of totally ‘free’ energy, which is an outstanding basis for a fast payback of investment. A single panel of 2.25m² (24.4ft²) reduces 6.750 ton (2,200lb) CO2 emission, which could be sold as CO2 credits. ? Panels are suitable for hot water systems as well as for supporting home heating systems. ? In addition to the above benefits the solar panels offer the best quality: ? Made from polycarbonate they are corrosion proof and have an exceptional durability and strength. They will withstand the impact of hail and other violent weather situations as they are one of the strongest and lightest solar panels available. The material is even used for high impact hurricane shutters in Florida. ? The high strength of the panels also gives them a high degree of vandal resistance. ? A limited number of components simplify manufacturing; offering a very competitive product. ? The modular design makes it very easy and convenient to manufacture panels of various sizes. ? The panels hold up to ten times as much fluid as presently marketed ones. The unique and efficient design has the advantage that the energy of the sunrays is directly transmitted into the fluid within the panel, without having to be transmitted over collector plates to meandering tubes, as applies in conventional panels. ? The panels are suitable for all climatic conditions and can be deployed in regions with freezing temperatures. ? The panels are also suitable in a light weight version for greenhouse applications. The size of these panels is identical to the standard version, but has considerable less weight with only 18.00kg (39.60lb) ? The panels are 99% recyclable!