Solar-Powered Air Conditioners Not Tied to Grid
Green Power Resource Management (GPRM) plans to start volume production of its solar powered air conditioner and virtual power plant in its new manufacturing facility in Escondido, Calif.
The packaged unit provides cooling, AC power out, and backup energy powered directly from solar panels for residential and small commercial buildings.
The GPRM 100 solar powered air conditioner and virtual power plant runs directly off solar panels, a wind turbine, batteries or the AC power in a home or office. It also provides renewable energy to other devices like a TV, lights, refrigerator or a computer even when the grid is down.
“Typical solar installations are grid-tied and do not provide power when the grid goes down, said Ralph Ciarlanti, GPRM CFO. “Most customers do not know this.”
Ciarlanti explained that the solar modules themselves are often powered by AC power coming in from the grid via a switching device at the master panel. It’s somewhat ironic that solar panels can generate electricity, but often need a little grid power to operate.
The GPRM 100 introductory package includes: 13,500 BTU/hr cooling capacity (up to 1,000 SF depending on energy efficiency of structure), battery backup providing 450 Ah of power, and two plug-in receptacles providing 1,500 W/hr ac power out. Larger batteries and power options available.
GPRM’s target markets for its patent pending environmental control system include residential and small commercial spaces such as offices, schools, off-grid applications such as military, mining and drilling, forestry, and telecom cell towers.
GPRM is using the Kickstarter crowdfunding method to help introduce the product.
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10 comments on “Solar-Powered Air Conditioners Not Tied to Grid”
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It’s high time that the HVAC Industry now has come up with both the portable and large SOLAR AI-CONDITIONING or COOLING Systems for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial applications, both in the United States and abroad. This should revolutionize the energy efficiency & renewable energy performance significantly for Solar Cooling
Dr. Arun Jhaveri/Seattle @ 206-920-4851 (cell/mobile)
Great innovation. It is about time that every household where practically possible should be grid-independent.
Brisbane, Australia.
What a great innovative development that will help us to unshackle ourselves from the vultures (electric power utilities). I believe this does not sit well with power companies. Indeed, it’s about time innovations of this sort start making the power companies that they cannot take people for a ride and for granted forever.
Are these Solar-Power Airconditioners also capable of providing space heating? If not, would there be future considerations to build-in a heat pump?
With a slight modification the units can provide heating. We are evaluating whether to release that version in this model or the next major product release. Comments appreciated.
I am thrilled by this progress and a new gateway of possibilities. Thank you.
If the price is right, I bet a lot of cottage/camp owners would like one. I would even though I am on the grid. It is annoying paying customer fees for being connected and yet hardly using much electricity.
Are you looking for representatives? Would love to market, install and maintain your product in Florida and Puerto Rico. How could I contact you?
i need to know how they work in day and how they work at night
how much backup hours they give at night?
as im working in middle east and i am planning to install solar powered AC in residentail buildings
so please help me out to know how they work in off grid system at night and backup hours?
It’s about time ! Solar powered off grid cooling is a no-brainer for warm climates.