Solar thermal arrays have traditionally used coil heat exchangers inside tanks to transfer heat. This process has been replaced by external heat exchangers for many reasons

Increased heat thansfer efficiency
- State of the art single and double walled heat exchangers
- Assortment of heat exchanger materials for various liquid 
characteristics
- Variable speed loop pumps 

Simplified Maintenance
- Simple fill and drain valve setup
- Removable heat exchanger for cleaning, maintenance or replacement
- Sediment traps remove particulate
- Quick change pumps
- Constant monitoring via state of the art sensors, flow meters and
controller

Compact unified control system
- Multiple sensor input
- Variable programming based on data compilation
- Variable speed smart pump control
- Online and mobile handheld monitoring & alarm capabilities
- Performance based rebate qualified
- Touch screen interface with intuitive logic menu driven programming

Solar thermal energy (STE) is a technology for harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat). Solar thermal collectors are defined by the USA Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools. Medium-temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use. High temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses and are generally used for electric power production. STE is different from photovoltaics, which convert solar energy directly into electricity. While only 600 megawatts of solar thermal power is up and running worldwide in October 2009 according to Dr David Mills of Ausra, another 400 megawatts is under construction and there are 14,000 megawatts of serious concentrating solar thermal (CST) projects being developed].

 

Lucky Labrador Brewery - Solar Thermal Installation - SUN BEER!

On a rainy Portland day in December, the crew unloads the solar panels and puts them up on the Lucky Lab roof.  It was wet.  It was soggy. But well worth the effort.  After the install was complete there were a few sunny days in January that proved to Lucky Lab owners, Gary Geist and Alex Stiles, just how well the system works. They have begun brewing their first batch of "Sun Beer" and will be bringing their "Solar-Powered Light Ale" to the Portland Brewer's Fest this summer.

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Md.’s solar energy incentive plan for businesses

By Daily Record Staff

The Maryland Energy Administration announced the launch of an incentive program Friday for mid-sized solar energy systems, made possible through funding from the federal economic stimulus package. This two-year program will provide a total of up to $1.45 million to lower the cost of rooftop solar energy systems for commercial buildings.

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