Technological advances allow us to have solar AC systems with panels that are easy to install and cost reasonable.
by Jorge Gaitán*
In theory, using solar energy to reduce a building's emissions and energy costs is wonderful, but it's not always that simple in practice. The need for large (and expensive) modifications to the building, as well as potential safety risks are frequent obstacles. But now something new has emerged under the sun: a method of collecting solar energy and supplying it directly to a rooftop HVAC unit, which is easier to install and safer than other traditional solar energy solutions.
To reduce the installation time and costs of solar energy equipment, choose a rooftop unit that can be integrated into solar systems, and that is designed to work with solar collection modules that are easy to install and operate. Each module, easily assembled by a professional contractor, has its own microinverter that allows it to independently transform the energy it has collected and send it to the roof unit.
The units can be installed on roofs of almost any shape or size, and can require up to 80% fewer spare parts than traditional systems.
More solar reliability
Sending transformed power directly to a roof unit avoids the reliability issues of traditional single-inverter systems. In traditional systems, if a solar module fails, all modules are affected and overall performance decreases. With a microinverter on each solar panel, the failure of one of the modules does not affect the energy production of the entire system.
When the modules are connected to the unit suitable for integration with solar systems, they supply the necessary energy directly to the HVAC system. If the roof unit cycle is interrupted, the converted solar energy is supplied to other electrically consuming devices in the building, such as light bulbs and computers. The system can even forward surplus power to the interconnection grid to help your organization benefit from utility credits.
In order to create surplus energy, the latest solar technology is scalable, it can be easily adapted at any time to the new needs of your company just by adding more solar modules, without the need to redesign the system. This provides flexibility when building requirements change or at the time you decide to transform a given facility into a zero-energy building.
Safety and security, the priorities
Many traditional solar systems use a high-voltage direct current line, which can reach 600 volts. Frequently, these lines run the entire length of the building and there is no easy way to disconnect the electrical power from the main panel of the building, in case a fire or any other emergency occurs.
A safer option is to choose a system that uses microinverters with a maximum voltage peak of 50V. If a power outage occurs, the microinverters interrupt the power supply to both the roof unit and the main panel of the building.
Greater system control
With the new solar energy systems, software is available that allows greater control, both over the system itself, and over how it meets the needs of your company. Programs can monitor system performance in real time, energy production, and environmental benefits.
While the hours of highest consumption for solar energy production correspond to the highest demand for energy, this feedback will be invaluable for the company's stakeholders concerned with environmental management.
*Lennox Industries, Inc.
