May 1, 2014: Building-Integrated Solar Heating Systems Increasing
Solar Air Heating Systems Work by Heating Incoming Ventilation Air
WASHINGTON — According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a growing sector of the U.S. solar energy industry has reached a major milestone, with 5 million square feet of building-integrated solar air heating collectors now installed in North America. Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the SEIA, says these systems represent 250 megawatts (MW) of thermal energy.
“Building-integrated solar air heating systems are often overlooked in the discussion about renewable energy,” Resch said. “We need to change that mindset. These cost-effective, energy-efficient systems can reduce by 20 to 50 percent the amount of conventional energy used for heating buildings — or for agricultural or process drying applications. That can represent a huge savings to companies, business owners, and farmers nationwide.”