SunDrum System Exceeds Financial Expectations of Largest Hybrid PVT System in US

HUDSON, Mass., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The SunDrum Hybrid PVT solar system, which was installed by AllNuEnergy Inc. on the "Inn at Schofield Barracks", a large hotel on Oahu, in the first 6 months of 2013 has saved over $45,568 in energy costs.  This is equivalent to 22% of the net system cost.  The SunDrum PVT System is expected to break even in less than two and a half years and provide a rate of return in excess of 29%.    

The SunDrum thermal collectors are a unique design in that they take advantage of the excess heat generated by the PV panel.  PV panels convert only 10%-15% of the Sun's energy into electricity.  The remainder is thrown off as waste heat.  By attaching the SunDrum thermal collector to the underside of a standard PV panel, the SunDrum System is able to capture up to 75% of this waste energy, thereby heating fluid running through the SunDrum system which heats the hot water of the hotel.

The unique SunDrum System allows the greatest amount of renewable energy to be generated in a given amount of space.  Also, by drawing heat directly from the PV panel, the SunDrum collector cools it, thereby improving the electrical output by 5-10%.  In contrast, dual systems require their own space and are unable to generate both electrical and thermal energy in the same footprint.   

By utilizing the SunDrum Solar unique PVT design the "Inn at Schofield Barracks" will realize over 27% or an additional $1.1M in total savings even though only 40% of the PV panels have SunDrum Solar attachments.  The system owner has stated: "We are very happy with the performance of the SunDrum system as it is meeting the performance expectations we had hoped for.  It allowed us to get both electrical and thermal energy from our limited roof space."

AllNuEnergy Inc. is an installer of both PV and thermal systems.  They have completed installations throughout the United States including multiple residential and commercial designs/installations.  The company is based in Colorado.

SunDrum® Solar, LLC, designs, develops and sell hybrid solar energy collectors for residential and commercial markets. The SunDrum® thermal collector is qualified with most major PV panels on the market today.  The company, which is based in Hudson, Mass., has been selling the SunDrum system since 2008 with numerous residential and commercial installations completed.  

SOURCE SunDrum Solar