Solar Powered Window AC/Heater Unit
Industry
Business Idea Overview
Design indoor A/C heater unit using solar panels with re-chargeable battery to operate. You would be attracting a large consumer base if it could be created and designed to be completely eco friendly or "green" as they refer to it.
On mass production scale, it might be very affordable for individuals with low income or possibly even funded in the US by programs for providing a service for the elderly who do not have AC or Heat. Each year hundreds of people die from the summer heat waves or the winter cold.
Just my two cents.
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Thank you Nanako. I found
Thank you Nanako. I found it interesting I brought this up yesterday and today on msn, they where talking about electric bills during the summer:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/KeepCoolWit...
I think the best design would be a window unit. The panels outside. I don't think it would be as hard to create as you think. In fact, I think this weekend I will buy a low end window unit to take apart and see how it operates.
Ouch - that's gotta hurt!
These days is too hot to
These days is too hot to handle and many people are getting sick and pets are having head stroke. I was thinking about your solar power air con going on.
Hope it everything is smooth and ac will be affordable and eco friendly sooner.
A GREAT IDEA....
Not only can it be used in summer affected areas, But also in semi-arid especially africa where there is very poor supply of hydroelectric power.
It can be instaled as window panels on buildings with offices.
I will try it too, Am a building and construction orianted Guy.
I have already seen this product before
Ricahrd and community,
I am new to this community, in fact, this would be the first social network I join by my own initiative as it sounds really interesting.
Relating to this idea, I think that it s really good but I have already seen something like this idea already working. I saw it in my last trip on a Delta flight. They had the in-flight entertainment center (great idea by the way - hope it makes lots of $$$ for the inventor), and there was a segment on alternative energy sources. One part of the segment mentioned a type of airconditioner that was solar powered. Think of a miniature swamp-cooler, using the refreshing feeling of evaporation.
I found a link of a similar product with the same fundamental concept: http://www.coolmax.com.au/coolmax/solar-brochure.htm.
The real question is how can you make true air-conditioners efficient enough so that they don't require so much power. Whether they are solar-powered or not, there is a huge market out there for them as electricity is getting so expensive...
Batteries are Key
How do you store power over night? The Size of the battery would have to be huge. Thats the same problem we're running into with electric cars.
It would have to be hybrid . Does anyone know how that would work?
Robert Tanguay
Founder of SatHookup Satellite TV
Los Angeles, CA
818.668.5552
http://SatHookup.com
hw can i get invovled in this
wat size of batttery will b required and hw much will it cost to get one or build one
Solar to the rescue
Very interesting discussion, but i want to know whether Richard has developed the prototype of the product. Its making sense because of high cost of electricity in the world particularly in Africa where electricity does not exist at all and various African governments keep on spending billions of dollars to revive a dead power sector of their economy.
Cheers to all in the community
good idea
good idea but isnt there already have such product in the market? i mean we already have solar-powered gadget in almost anything electronic. but still it is a good idea worth exploring.
Power Issues
I have built a prototype, but it takes 4 car batteries to store so it can run 24/7. The unit is took big for a window. No - at the moment there is not anything like this on the market.
Maintaining the power is really simple by using a converter inside the AC unit, where there is plenty of room. And I added solar panels to both sides as well as the top with small pcokets for ventilation which recharge the batteries. I am using Marine Batteries at the moment because of there is less change of discharge problems.
Unfortunately, the issue is the power needed to run the AC unit. I am currently looking at diffferent types of batteries (similiar to the ones used in Hybrid vehicles but the costs are hufe) to run the unit. However, the conversion of solar energy to recharge has been solved. Now it is simply coming up with a battery that is small enough and can distribute enough energy. JUST AND UPDATE.
Ouch - that's gotta hurt!
Gr8 Idea
Hi Richard, do you have a prototype ready? This product has gr8 potential specially for developing countries with erratic power supply. This is also the need of the hour considering the global meltdown. However operation at night time will be tricky. I am also concerned about using batteries to store electricity, batteries itself pollute the environment as their disposal creates a new challenge. Any thoughts on how to overcome this challenge??
Read an article few days back, scientists in UK are experimenting with a refrigerator that needs no electricity. It works on Newtons laws of physics and has something to do with pressure difference created by gases. The gases used are also environment friendly unlike the freon based gases used currently. If they can make a refrigerator, can't we make an A.C which works on a similar principle?? Think about it!! ;)
Jatin
jatinkalsi@yahoo.com
Great Idea
I also think that's a great new idea.
With the great meltdown and rising energy prices this really makes sense.
Do you have any pictures of your prototype?
Regards
Pictures -
I will try take pictures if I can work on it this weekend (Sorry - I work full time and can't work on it every weekend)- but it is to large for a standard window. I didn't even think about the disposal of batteries - thank you for pointing that out. This is obviously a mistake on my part and something I completely missed.
The batteries hold enough power to run the unit at 65 degrees for 11 hours straight on just the batteries before needing the converter to start recharging. I have had no discharge errors using marine batteries to date, but I have only tested it 5 times. The solar panels charge even with dim sunlight or on rainy cloudy days, but the cost for the output I need is expensive. I did notice another problem two weeks ago, the air intake system requires a filtration system, but because people have allergies, the basic filter in the cheap unit I bought to work on is horrible.
I am therefore looking into a polarization filtration system to prevent dust. This will require a little more power. Not much but will be a huge bonus for anyone with allergies.
Gr8Idea - I am very interested in the gas system you mentioned above being tested in the UK, but keep in mind, I am not a scientist. This is just a hobby I started to see if it can be done. I am still in the learning process on some issues. I am also trying to put a little money aside to purchase a wall unit air conditioner from Japan where the compressor is located outside of the unit. This might be a better way to go as it would free up space inside for the batteries and coverter and then leave more space for additional solar panels. Still work in progress...but I did finally put in for an international patent.
Ouch - that's gotta hurt!
Awesome!
This idea is a great one..I really think this could work and will fit really well in the current "green" world we are in. What would really be needed is a extremely efficent solar system with back up battery reserves right?
I like this idea
I like this idea because it takes something that everyone already uses and makes it more affordable in the long run and it makes it green which is an essential part of everything we do in these times!
Have a look at this
Have a look at the idea I submitted on my profile please and let me know what you think.
thanks,
Rolf RHodes
Brilliant idea
If i were you i would spend most of my time with this project and believe me you will succeed it has a lot of positive in it,and it will sort out a lot of problems to the consumer,the best thing to do is just the simplicity of it doesn't have to need a lot of skills to install it,just try to make the consumers life easy.
Hi Richard I like the idea
Hi Richard I like the idea as it is also eco friendly and can provide for low income as well.
But will it need sometime to figure it out or create it, i mean with my kinda brain.