To help companies reduce their energy costs, the Belfast-based startup 'Senergy' has created solar panels that heat and cool the building they sit on top of. This means that all of the energy generated by the panels stay within the building and allow it to operate off-grid. With many buildings using the majority of their energy simply for the purpose of heating and cooling the interior, these solar panels could help to eliminate a costly expense.
Senergy solar thermal panels are designed to heat water, which is subsequently used to heat the building's interior. In order to cool the building, the panels work to absorb heat and then a heat exchange converts refrigerant liquid into gas. This highly efficient system is completely free of carbon emissions and produces a total of "three times more kilowatts of energy per square metre than photovoltaic tech."
Energy-Generating Solar Panels
Senergy's Solar Panels are Used to Heat and Cool Buildings
Trend Themes
1. Energy-generating Solar Panels - The trend is for companies to develop solar panels that are not only energy-generating but are also capable of supporting heating and cooling functions of buildings.
2. Off-grid Operating Systems - The trend is toward systems and technologies that allow buildings to operate off-grid, reducing costs and improving sustainability.
3. Carbon-neutral Energy Production - The trend is toward carbon-neutral energy production methods that emphasize efficiency and sustainability, while reducing carbon footprints in the process.
Industry Implications
1. Green Energy - The Green Energy industry may consider adopting this technology as improvements and innovations are aligned with the industry's focus on sustainable energy solutions.
2. Construction - The Construction industry may benefit from the trend for buildings to become more energy efficient due to their energy-saving elements that meet environmental standards but also reduce costs and provide a sustainable solution.
3. Real Estate - Real estate professionals should take note of technologies that help to reduce property operating costs and become more sustainable, which in turn, may increase attractiveness to potential buyers.