Building a Better Solar Collector: SunTrac Solar

If you build a better solar collector, will the world beat a path to your door? That’s what SunTrac Solar, of Golden, Colorado, is hoping.

SunTrac has made a dramatic improvement to solar technology by developing a system that combines photovoltaic (PV) panels with the advantages of parabolic solar systems.

Parabolic collectors are constructed with long parabolic mirrors (usually coated with silver of polished aluminum) which reflect and concentrate solar energy. Such collectors are moveable; usually they are aligned on a north-south axis, and rotate to track the sun as it moves across the sky each day – allowing the collector to harvest more sunlight than fixed panels. PV panels are fixed solar collectors made of silicon or similar materials.

The SunTrac collectors combine the low installation and maintenance costs of conventional PV panels with the parabolic collector’s capacity for higher temperatures. The patented system, designed and manufactured by Energistic Systems, tracks the movement of the sun, collecting 50% to 70% of the available solar energy and can heat hot water up to 250 degrees--for a lower cost per BTU than other panels. Each SunTrac panel is self contained, so consumers need not worry about complicated field installation or maintenance of linkages or pulleys. The panels can be used to heat water for space heating or household hot water.

The SunTrac’s synchronous tracker follows the sun from east to west daily and automatically returns the reflectors to the east position at the end of the day. The panel may also be oriented North-South to track the sun seasonally. Tempered safety glass protects all reflector surfaces and the entire tracker system, so there are no reflector surfaces to scratch and no linkages to jam. The system is designed for a 20 year life.

SunTrac is the only high temperature solar collector heat product manufactured in the U.S. It provides a long-term, cost effective solar solution for heating residential and commercial hot water, reducing utility costs by up to 80% while using half the space of current panel designs.

Recently SunTrac received the Clean Tech Open Award for sustainability in the Rocky Mountain region. Sponsored in part by the Department of Energy, the Clean Tech Open recognizes and supports emerging environmentally friendly technologies. The program provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships to turn ideas into successful global clean tech companies. Through its annual business competition and mentorship program, the Clean Tech Open has helped hundreds of clean technology startups bring their breakthrough ideas to fruition.

“For SunTrac Solar, the Clean Tech Open process has been an amazing journey of learning and growing,” said SunTrac CEO Bill Lowstuter. “All of the support and mentoring has helped us dramatically to refine and hone the business plan and elevate our business far beyond where we started. The thousands of hours the volunteers have donated has truly been a humbling experience.”

Image courtesy of Energistic Systems