Solar siding by SOLARWALL

Heating a building with solar power is now easier thanks to SOLARWALL . This solar air heating system is based on a metal (aluminum or steel) cladding that is installed on the south-facing wall of a building. The system operates in a very simple manner using economical and environmentally-benign solar energy to heat buildings:

the dark-colored metal cladding is heated by solar radiation
ventilation fans located at the top of the wall create a negative pressure in the cavity between the cladding and the building
outside air is drawn through tiny holes in the SOLARWALL and is heated by the metal panels
the air rises in the cavity to a plenum at the top of the wall
the incoming warm air is ducted to the nearest fan
warm, fresh air is distributed throughout the building

Bombardier's 100,000 ft2 (10,000 m2)
SOLARWALL is the world's largest
solar air heating system

solar siding by solarwall

SOLARWALL seasonal operation

This unique solar system even reduces the loss of heat in winter by capturing the escaping air with incoming air and pushing it back into the building. This also remains true at night time when heat loss occurs more.

In the summer, the SOLARWALL system works by preventing solar radiation from hitting the south side of the building. Hot air naturally rises so the hot air trapped between the wall and the SOLARWALL rises to the top of the building where it is vented out. Fresh, cool air is drawn in by dampers to keep the building cool. Because of the fresh air constantly entering the building, SOLARWALL increases the air quality and overall health conditions for the facility.

Performance and Economics (Taken from http://www.solarwall.com)

operating efficiency of up to 75% (rated by both the Canadian and US governments)
on a sunny day, the temperature in the SOLARWALL can raise the air temperature by 30° to 76° F (16° to 40° C) depending on flow rate
the cost of a SOLARWALL solar heating system in new construction is usually less than the cost of a brick wall or even a metal-clad wall; thus, energy savings are realized, with no payback period
even on cloudy days, the SOLARWALL provides significant energy savings as a preheating system for ventilation air
a typical SOLARWALL installation produces 50 to 70 kwh/ft2 (500 to 700kWh/m2)
energy savings of $1 to $6/ft2 ( $10 to $60/m2) of wall during the heating season; if a SOLARWALL is utilized for process air heating, the savings are even greater
the economic benefits of the SOLARWALL system on the Federal Express distribution center in Colorado indicate that savings will be $12,000 US annually, and that 254,000 pounds (115,000 kilograms) of carbon dioxide emissions will not be released into the atmosphere
paybacks of 1 to 6 years for most installations