Looks like the push to save the environment just got a huge boost. Last week, electronics giant Hitachi unveiled a new solar powered air conditioning system designed for local air conditioning in buildings and district cooling facilities. The solar powered air conditioning system is set to be deployed in the “sun belt” of the world, namely the Mediterranean, North America, Western Asia and Australia.

The new Hitachi solar powered air conditioner uses patented Hitachi technology that is able to track the sun’s movements and adjust the position of tubes filled with a heat collecting fluid. The fluid then flows through the rest of the system, powering the refrigerator that chills the water to provide the air conditioning (and then the monkey opens the birdcage and the bird scares the cat…). A computer within the system helps control for things like wind and other factors. The whole system looks like this:

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The hope for the solar powered air conditioning system is that it will significantly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the production of carbon dioxide emissions, particularly during periods of strong sunshine, though at this point they were not able to quantify the impact. Really, any impact is a positive impact – air conditioning systems are usually the largest consumers of energy in homes.

Will the system take off? Hitachi sure thinks so – they’re estimating that the new solar powered air conditioning system will grow annual sales by a whopping $61 million! At Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical, we’re hopeful too. We’ve been pushing for the environmental movement for a long time now, and it’s always good to see when the big players get into the game. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on all the developments on the Hitachi solar powered air conditioner as they come in.

Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical has been providing air conditioner services in Maryland and Washington, DC for more than 20 years. If you want to install a new air conditioning unit in your home or office, or if you want to learn how you can get involved in the environmental movement, call Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical today!