All the same technology that is used in residential buildings can easily be used in commercial and industrial buildings.It may be on a larger scale but the principle remains the same.

PV solar panels and solar water heating can easily be integrated into existing commercial buildings.

These commercial buildings, such as hotels, can also use solar energy technologies that would be impractical for residential buildings.

Solar panels were fitted to the CIS building in Manchester, England at a cost of £5.5 million

Companies that use solar power can use the energy in many ways.

For example, solar panels, ventilation air preheating, solar process heating, and solar cooling could all be integrated into a hotel or office building.

Many large buildings need ventilated air to maintain air quality. In cold climates, heating this air can use huge amounts of energy.

A solar ventilation system can preheat the air, saving both energy and money. A no brainer really! The economic impact using solar energy can only be positive.

A typical system includes

solar panels or collectors

a pump

a heat exchanger

one or more large storage tanks

And what about a solar power air cooler? The heat from a solar panel can also be used to cool a building. It may seem strange to think that you can use heat to cool a building.

But think of it this way.....

Lets say you have a home air conditioner system. This uses an energy source. Its called electricity. Electricity is used with the system to create cool air.

Now, without becoming bogged down in technicalities, a solar installation uses a similar approach, combined with some unexplainable chemistry, to create cool air from solar energy.

So, there really is no reason for not having solar panels in all new buildings.

Useful articles

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Click on diy solar heating for information on solar water heating.

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