1. ๏Unique design for low-rise commercial buildings.
  2. ๏Reduces heating expense and greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. ๏Produces heat efficiently, not electricity inefficiently.
  4. ๏Flexible placement of multiple units.
  5. ๏Smart sensors for automatic operation in all seasons.
  6. ๏No plumbing or ductwork needed.
 
Solar Lab’s patent-pending Skyheater captures the full band of solar energy at 85% peak efficiency. Interior air is forced through a roof panel array, solar heated, and blown back into low-rise commercial buildings to reduce winter heating costs. Skyheaters produce more energy during winter than photovoltaic panels running year round and at 50% the price.
 
Within the Skyheater, solar heat is trapped by a hair-thin solar-selective membrane–a virtual “black hole” to sunlight. Fan-forced air flows through ultra-efficient manifolds and across both sides of the membrane, stripping heat in the process. As in a racing engine, the air stream encounters no obstacles or sharp turns during its travels that would reduce its velocity.
 
 
 
 
In the building cutaway above, upper-strata interior air is drawn into the Skyheater, heated, and distributed into the building with none of the conversion losses that plague other solar technologies. With the elimination of batteries, voltage inverters, plumbing and ductwork, up-front costs are minimized; solar heat is delivered, and energy bills are lowered. Two remote-sensor thermostats control the system automatically so that heat is supplied only when needed.
 
Solar Labs is a start-up venture with full-scale Skyheaters deployed at the World Clutch building in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are forming corporate and investment partnerships to realize the potential of this unique energy solution. The Skyheater can be commercialized at a fraction of the cost of other emerging green technologies. Feel free to contact us for investment and partnership information at info@solar-labs.com.
Click for a one-minute Skyheater orientation in Quicktime or Windows media format.
 
Solar energy conversion comes in two basic flavors, electric and thermal. Electric (photovoltaic) panel efficiencies run between 15 and 20% measured in full sun, but in actual operation, 20% to 25% energy is lost from heat build-up, wiring, and AC conversion.
 
Like photovoltaic, thermal panels utilize visible light but also absorb infrared radiation, the other half of the available solar energy. Water or liquid is used to transfer captured heat into a building. Up-front costs for liquid heat transfer, however, are significant due to plumbing costs, and the extra heat exchanger needed for space heating reduces efficiency 20% or more.
 
Air panels, on the other hand, can heat air directly without plumbing. Previous designs, however, have been handicapped by inefficient air flow and the expense of ductwork. The Skyheater accomplishes heat transfer in low-rise buildings without ductwork through advanced materials and design innovations in air handling.
 
    
 
Design benefits
 
Unlike wall-mounted units, the roof-mounted Skyheater requires no additional ductwork to distribute its heat, as each panel outputs a robust column of air that penetrates up to 20 feet downward from the ceiling. The Skyheater also combats heat loss through the roof by de-laminating the warmer ceiling air layer. And unlike skylights, the thermostatically-controlled Skyheaters won’t pass heat into the building during summer.
 
Solar Labs versatile Skyheater system can be mounted on factories, corporate buildings, warehouses, retail structures, aircraft hangers, agricultural buildings and workshops. Please contact us for investments and partnerships at info@solar-labs.com.
 
 
    
 Solar Labs news:
 
June 4, 2008
Solar Labs one of seven solar ventures selected at Clean Tech 2008.
Solar Labs was selected for presentation at the 2008 Clean Tech/Nano-Tech/Tech Connect combined events in Boston–the largest summit of its kind in North America.
 
May 31, 2008.
Measured results for Skyheater confirmed.
    A peak efficiency in excess of 85% was confirmed during steady-state periods of peak insolation. Average steady-state efficiency, including periods of inclement weather, measured at 58% at an average 45º F over a five-week period of below-average weather conditions.  
 
February 15, 2008.
Skyheater demonstration project installed at World Clutch building.
        Solar Labs has completed a demonstration solar-air heating system on the World Clutch Distributors building in Knoxville. Skyheater system performance will be monitored over the test period with ultra-accurate sensors to verify BTU performance in real-world conditions.
        World Clutch Distributors, a 5000 square-foot facility, is owned by brothers Roy and Smitty Norwood. “I’ve always been interested in solar,” says Smitty, “It’s something I’m excited about. It’s a great opportunity, and we look forward to the Solar Lab project on our building. It’s a win-win situation.”
         Three interns from the University Of Tennessee are participants in the demonstration project: Ryan Edgerton (Environmental Science), Colton Griffin (Industrial Engineering), and Hannah Johnson (Environmental Studies). Click for a demonstration slideshow:    
 
January 31, 2008.
Solar Labs participates In Focus The Nation event at the University of Tennessee.
        Focus The Nation is a nationwide event focused on identifying solutions to global climate change with a series of local panels, discussions, and lectures on climate change issues. Additionally, there will be a "green" organization fair during the day.
        Solar Labs will be showing the Skyheater concept at the at the University Of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Center, and will be taking applications for renewable energy internships.
 
January 21, 2008.
Skyheater Demonstration Project at World Clutch building.
        Solar Labs announces preparations for a demonstration solar-air heating system on the World Clutch Distributors building in Knoxville, Tennessee. Skyheater system performance will be monitored over the test period with ultra-accurate platinum sensors to verify BTU performance in real-world conditions.
        World Clutch Distributors, a 5000 square-foot facility, is owned by brothers Roy and Smitty Norwood. “I’ve always been interested in solar,” says Smitty, “It’s something I’m excited about. It’s a great opportunity, and we look forward to the Solar Lab project on our building. It’s a win-win situation.”  
 
October 26, 2007.
Solar Labs at Southeast Solar Summit at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
        Solar Labs participated in the first Southeast Solar Summit, co-hosted by the Southern Alliance For Clean Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The U.S. Department Of Energy, Department Of Commerce, Tennessee Valley Authority and several other private and public organizations were in attendance as new technologies and energy policy were discussed. Solar Labs owner/designer Joel Fairstein gave a workshop entitled Solar Air Heating For Commercial Buildings.
 
August 24, 2007.
Solar Labs exhibits at the Southern Energy & Environmental Expo.
        Solar Labs joined over 50 other exhibitors in the popular annual Southern Energy & Environmental Expo near Asheville, North Carolina. A working scale prototype of the Skyheater was introduced to Expo attendees. Outside the venue, a Solar Labs Com 7 Window Heater was on display and weathered a severe thunderstorm with no damage or leakage. The 8’-wide unit was later installed in a residence in Hardin Valley, Tennessee.
          
 
Next: Design and installation.
 
 
Ultra-efficient solar air heat for buildings.