Johnson Controls Launches Chiller Solutions with Advanced Solar Technology
Combined technologies collect 75 percent solar energy
Johnson Controls, a company that delivers solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, has recently introduced a solar cooling solution to reduce energy costs for large buildings by combining its high-efficiency chillers with hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
“Our customers deserve heating and cooling solutions that push the limits of technology design to reduce utility costs and maximize investments,” says Joe Brillhart, director of global industrial chillers at Johnson Controls. “When you consider warm environments, this solution is the financially responsible way to capture energy from the sun while leveraging one of the best absorption chillers on the market.”
The solution uses the YORK Absorption Chiller and features PV waste-heat recovery technology, converting 75 percent of the sun’s rays into energy, compared to 15 percent efficiency in a traditional PV system.
The solar-cooling solution integrates into any building controls system, including the Metasys building management system. It generates hot water for the absorption chiller to air condition buildings and electricity to reduce demand from the power grid.
Says Neil Cameron, GM at Johnson Controls Systems & Service Africa, “The requirement for cooling in South Africa places a significant stress on the power grid and results in high utilities bills, especially for businesses. This chiller that incorporates PV technology is therefore the ideal solution for South Africa with its climate that is characterised by abundant sunshine and temperatures that soar in the summer months. Solar cooling offers a compelling value proposition for building owners by reducing both peak time energy costs and demand charges.”
Johnson Controls has changed the way buildings are designed, built and operated, making them more efficient and sustainable for more than 125 years since its founder invented the electric thermostat. In North America, Johnson Controls is the largest Energy Services Company (ESCO) with $7.5 billion in guaranteed savings
