The Solar Beam Solar Concentrator by SolarTron Energy Systems

SolarTron Energy Systems Inc. is a privately held high tech company, based in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada. Edward Herniak, founder and CEO of SolarTron Energy Systems Inc. is the principal designer. Mr. Herniak possesses many years of experience in providing energy saving solutions through his company EG Energy Controls.

EG Energy Controls (EGEC) manufactures several energy saving products for commercial and industrial applications.These products offer quality, reliability and state of the art technology at a competitive price for end-users. EGEC markets and distributes its products directly to end-users and through Energy Saving Centers located in Canada, USA and Latin America. EGEC’s products are certified by ENTELA, a nationally recognized testing and rating firm.

In order to enter the alternative energy market, EG Energy Controls created the SolarTron division which sells the SolarBeam Solar Concentrator. This concentrator uses the shape of a parabolic curve to concentrate the suns energy on a focal point. The SolarBeam is 262% more efficient that hot water panels and 98% more efficient than evacuated tube technology.

The SolarBeam uses patent-pending technology to provide 10kW of heat per hour throughout the entire day. For applications that require air conditioning, an absorption chiller can be used. In 2011, the SolarBeam will be able to produce 4kW of electricity per hour. The SolarBeam (solar hot water system) can be installed on the ground using a 12 foot post, or it can be placed on top of a flat roof, with a different configuration.

Concentrator

The solar hot water system was designed to take advantage of the parabolic curve performance of a reflector which is the most efficient means of collecting solar energy. By utilizing the parabolic curve, the SolarBeam hot water system focuses the sun’s intensity onto the focal point, where the absorber is located. Incredibly, the absorber is very small (10” x 10”) but has the ability of providing 13kW per hour (44,000 BTUs)

EG Energy Controls, a successful energy saving company, designed the SolarBeam to handle extreme weather conditions. High quality components & materials are used to ensure product integrity in both hot and cold conditions. The reflective petals are made of a high quality reflective material with a high resistance to corrosion. The reflective petals will not deteriorate from salt spray or acid rain when installed in regions prone to these conditions.

design

Solar Collector

The solar absorber is made of solid aluminum block to maximize the thermal transfer to the poly-glycol fluid.

Power Train

The power mechanism for the solar concentrator is driven by a motor for horizontal tracking and a heavy-duty actuator is used for vertical tracking.

Tracking System

SolarBeam’s patent-pending celestial tracking system allows the concentrator to follow the sun during all times and seasons with 100% accuracy. The solar concentrator does not require additional sensors to track the sun. As seasons change, the distance from the earth to the sun also changes. The solar concentrator automatically adjusts each day to maintain alignment with the sun.

Wind Load

The solar concentrators supporting structure, including the foundation, was approved by a registered structure engineer to withstand up to 140km per hour wind load.

Safety

The system goes into safety mode when there is no sun available for harvesting. This safety feature places the solar concentrator in a horizontal position to protect it from damage from wind or vandalism.

Mounting Structure

With practicality in mind, the mounting structure was designed so that the SolarBeam will not affect people or animals near the collector; nor will people or animals interfere with its operation. When the SolarBeam is mounted on the ground, it’s mounting post will be 12 feet from the ground. In applications where the solar hot water system will be installed on a flat roof, a different mounting application is used. The mounting of SolarBeam on the roof is a perfect option for apartment buildings, hotels, offices, grocery stores and retail stores. The hot water system is light enough to be installed on a roof and will not affect the daily operation of the facility.

Short URL: http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/?p=6370

Posted by Tracey A. Smith on Feb 1 2011. Filed under Canada, Solar Thermal, Solar Thermal Dish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry