Solar energy system with heat pump augmentation for industrial process heat - An update

In September, 1977, General Extrusions completed installation of a solar energy system with heat pump augmentation to furnish power for a cleaning tank in their aluminum anodizing line. The array was 100 modules (304 sq m) of their Model LTC-367 Solar Collector and the heat pump was a Westinghouse Templifier TBP060. During the last 261 days the solar system has been operated 83 days supplying energy to the process. 31 days of potential operation were missed as the plant operated on a five day a week schedule much of the time. A mini-computer-based energy monitor system is under construction for this solar system and will give detailed operational results as well as automatic control.