An Introduction To SolarWall®
perforated Transpired Solar Collector (pTSC)
Presented by Brian Watson

perforated Transpired Solar Collector
SolarWall® harnesses the power of the sun to
provide solar thermal energy… A solar heating
system saves energy, reduces heating costs, and
produces clean energy.

What is SolarWall®?
• SolarWall® is a highly efficient, fresh air heating system for
buildings.
• The technology originated in Canada and has been in use for
over 25 years in over 30 countries worldwide.
• System consists of an un-glazed, perforated Transpired
Solar Collector (pTSC).
• Installed onto a buildings southerly facing elevation, the
collector allows fresh, outdoor air to be heated before being
introduced into the building.

Transpiration Holes the Key
• Perforated absorbers provide collector efficiencies as
high as 50%
This means for every 1Kw of energy of solar gain,
the collector delivers 500w of usable energy

Main Components of the SolarWall® System

The SolarWall®Panels Absorb the Sun’s Energy

Warmed Boundary Layer Air Drawn Thru’ Perf’s

Heated Air ducted into HVAC System

Air Evenly Distributed Via Conventional System

Summer By-pass
In the Summer, the hot air is vented out of the top.
The panels act as a sunscreen preventing the
sunshine from hitting the wall

Orientation
• Favourable
Orientation
= 80 – 100%
Solar Gain
• Acceptable
Orientation
• Ideal Orientation = 60%
= 96 – 100% Solar Gain Solar Gain

Collector Properties
• Material specified in
Colorcoat Prisma®
• Collector specifically engineered to
suit each individual application
• Installed 100 - 300mm from existing
wall
• Can be Installed over or around
existing windows, doors etc
• No special skills or tools required for
installation
• Virtually maintenance free

Case Study: CA Group production facility.
• 410m² SolarWall® installed onto
south eastern elevation
• Solar heated air utilised as
replacement ventilation
• Carbon neutral within the first
year of operation

Independent BSRIA Monitoring
• 50% reduction in gas usage when
degree-day correlated
• Energy and Carbon savings of
303,543kWh and 58.9tCO2
respectively
• Truly renewable heat source
• System supplies significantly
more than the 10% of heating
demand required to be classed
as “a renewable energy system”
for planning purposes

Battle McCarthy Modelling Report
• Independent thermal study of a
1,240m² SolarWall® installation
on a 18,500m² warehouse
development
• Savings of up to 50% in heating
consumption
• Overall total energy contribution
of up to 20% ( Or classified as a
possible 20% renewable)
• Comfortably achieves energy
targets set within the
Merton Rule

Battle McCarthy Modelling Report
For a Part L compliant shed, that
requires (>15ºC), the SolarWall® will
make a significant contribution to both
the heating and overall energy
consumption.
• Heating contribution 50-70%
• Overall Energy contribution 20%
• Merton rule achieved Yes

Swavesey Report
“All development proposals greater than
1,000m² or 10 dwellings will include technology
for renewable energy to provide at least 10%
of their predicted energy requirements, in
accordance with Policy NE/2”
*South Cambridgeshire Development Control Policies DPD (2007), Policy NE/2t

Swavesey Report
• Independent renewable energy study
for “the developer” of a 13,500m²
mixed use development in
Swavesey, South Cambridgeshire
• 10% requirement for total energy
demand to be met by on-site
renewables
• Technical assessment of 6 suitable
renewable technologies
• 595m² of SolarWall® would provide
more than the required renewable
demand at the lowest cost and the
quickest payback
• Approximate cost £46k and payback
period of 3 years

Swavesey Report
% Total Energy
Area Used Energy Saved
Technology Cost Requirement
(m2) (kWh/year)
Met
Photovoltaics 1172 87,900 £1,172,000 10.01
Solar Thermal
20 12,353 Not Stipulated* 1.41
(Water) Systems
Ground Source
Not Stipulated* 96,959 £205,000 11.04
Heat Pump
Wind Turbine Not Stipulated* 89,102 £138,000 10.14
Perforated
Transpired Solar
Collector 595 99,973 £46,775 11.38
SolarWall®
That is a pay back in just 3 years

Summary
• Free heating using the sun’s energy
• Improved indoor air quality
• Eliminates negative pressure situations
• Significant reduction in energy usage and CO2 emissions
• ‘Merton Rule’ compliant
• Can be used to improve EPC ratings and contribute to
BREEAM points scheme
• Short payback as low as 3 years on new build and 7 years on
retrofit

Case Studies
Jaguar / Land Rover
Area of SolarWall® 268m²
Predicted payback
Estimated Energy Savings 80,530 kWh / annum of 4.9 years
Estimated CO2 Savings 19 tonnes / annum

Case Studies
BRE Innovation
Park
Area of SolarWall® 24m²
Estimated Energy Savings 3,546 kWh / annum
Estimated CO2 Savings 2 tonnes / annum

Case Studies
Beaconsfield
Motorway Services
Area of SolarWall® 255m²
Estimated Energy Savings 99,235 kWh / annum
Estimated CO2 Savings 25 tonnes / annum

Case Studies
Premier Park
Area of SolarWall® 580m²
Estimated Energy Savings 130,761 kWh / annum
Estimated CO2 Savings 32.4 tonnes / annum

Conclusion
• Lowest payback of any renewable technology that is currently
available
• Recognised as delivering 20% renewable not just 20%
savings
• 50% reduction in heating costs
• Fully recyclable at the end of the buildings life
• No impact on building aesthetics
• Globally proven
• Independently tested