NI Firm Shines With South African Solar Power

Northern Ireland company Kingspan Renewables is continuing to expand its presence in the South African market.

As a result of a successful partnership with South African based eco supplier Green Power, Kingspan Renewables' Thermomax solar collectors are being used in an increasing number of commercial and residential projects across the country.

The Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) school for children with learning disabilities is the most recent commercial project to be completed by Green Power using Kingspan Renewables' products.

Green Power was commissioned by Carpe Diem, in March of this year, to develop a solar hot water system to heat the school's 20 year old swimming pool.

The company selected the award-winning Kingspan Renewables' Thermomax HP200 product as the perfect solar solution to address the school's needs.

Carpe Diem was impressed by the temperature limitation feature that prevents the collector from overheating; a necessary feature for the South African climate.

They were also pleased to receive a 20-year warranty on the vacuum tubes, offered by Green Power as part of the Kingspan Accredited Installer scheme. This guarantee is a first of its kind in solar technology within the South African market.

With electricity prices increasing year on year, Carpe Diem was focused on cutting utility costs. As a result the school's management decided to convert the 250 000L pool to a solar hybrid heating option.

Green Power conducted a comprehensive analysis of the school's needs and identified the best solution for the school.

They needed to ensure that the pool was heated at a constant 28 degrees celsius daily, and address the problem of limited available roof space.

As a result, Green Power recommended a hybrid solution of both solar panels and heat pumps. The system was designed in such a way that the primary source of heating would be generated by the Thermomax solar panels with the heat pumps topping up, if and when required.

Green Power installed eight HP200 30 tube Kingspan Renewables collectors in parallel configuration in two sets of four collectors to overcome the issue of limited roof space. They also installed a 70kw pool heat exchanger and two backup 60kw Sirac heat pumps. In addition, Green Power recommended that the school use pool blankets for times when the pool is not in use as a means of retaining heat.

Additionally, the pool has also been made an indoor pool thanks to the installation of a blow up dome. The new system successfully meets the 28 degrees celsius daily heating requirement and has led to a reduced reliance on fossil fuels i.e. the burning of paraffin.

(CD)