Innovations in Solar Air Heating Systems

Transpired solar air heating was developed by Conserval in the mid-1980s and sold as the SolarWall. These systems typically use dark-colored, perforated metal panels, or collectors, installed a few inches away from an exterior wall (usually facing south) on non-residential buildings, forming a gap that acts as a plenum chamber for air distribution. When the sun hits the collectors, air on the surface is heated. The building’s air intake pulls that heated air in through the holes and into the plenum, where it can be used to preheat incoming ventilation air. In summer, dampers are closed so the hot air is vented up and out through holes.