Canadian Invented SolarWall is featured prominently in the Beijing Olympic Village. Both the SolarWall solar air heating system and the SolarWall PV-Thermal systems are showcased.

July 24, 2008

First of its Kind: Hybrid SolarWall PV/T System in Olympic Village
Beijing, China
The Beijing Olympic Village is now home to cutting-edge solar technology, one of the world's first SolarWall photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid systems.
(photos - http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?cid=8005&id=53149)

Mounted on the roof of one of the central buildings, which will be a service centre for athletes during the Olympics, the SolarWall® PV/T technology is unique in that it is one of the first commercially viable hybrid solar systems. The technology produces both electricity and heat energy from the same surface area, generating 200-300 per cent more energy than a conventional PV system. It combines SolarWall® air heating technology with photovoltaics to create a total energy solution in which the payback period is reduced and the CO2 displacement is maximized.

As an added benefit the SolarWall® panels act as a racking system to the PV; removing the heat from the back of the modules and channeling it into the facility's traditional heating system.

The building is also home to a conventional SolarWall® air heating system, which was integrated into the architecturally unique front façade.

The project was done through the Canadian SolarWall office, with Conserval Engineering working in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and the Olympic Village developer to incorporate these innovative solar technologies into the site.

"Conserval's SolarWall is a great example of the practical and cost-effective clean energy technologies being developed by Canadian innovators," said The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. "The Beijing Olympic Games offer a tremendous opportunity to showcase this technology to a global audience, and the Government of Canada is proud to be a partner in making this demonstration possible."

"Technologies — like the SolarWall® air heating and PV/thermal systems — that address the fact the largest source of energy usage is through buildings are required if worldwide CO2 reduction targets are to be met," said John Hollick, Conserval Engineering President.

SolarWall® technology has received commendation from both Natural Resources Canada and the U.S. Department of Energy, and set the global standard for solar air heating in commercial and industrial buildings. It has been used in 30 countries around the world by private public sector organizations like the US Army, Government of Canada, NASA, Ford, Federal Express, Wal-Mart and 3M. For more information, including images:

Sylvie Powell
MédiaLane Communications Inc.
(613) 290-1497