As a pioneer in photovoltaic (solar cell) technology and heat pump air conditioning systems, SANYO has consistently taken the lead in research and development in both of these fields. As a result, SANYO has brought together, for the first time, 2 key technologies to create a solar-powered air conditioning system with world-leading efficiency.

In line with SANYO’s Think GAIA ethos, our solar-powered air conditioning provides an alternative solution that allows you to benefit from the same high level of air conditioning technology and reliability that you would expect from SANYO, as well as using a sustainable energy resource that has no environmental impact and lower running costs.

Harness the sun’s energy to reduce running costs and CO2 emissions

The modular design of the SANYO PV Air Conditioning System means that it can be designed to work with all of our product range, from room air conditioners right through to ECOi VRF. The solar generated electricity combines with normal supply to ensure consistent operation. Also, the solar power can be diverted to other uses so that the energy is not wasted when air conditioning is not being used.

SANYO's PV solar cells offer greatly increased efficiency

Photovoltaics, or PV for short, is a solar power technology that uses solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity

1. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by silicon (a semi-conducting material)

2. Negatively charged electrons are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity

3. The direct current (DC) electricity enters an inverter

4. The inverter turns DC electricity into the 240-volt AC (alternating current) electricity needed for air conditioning

5. The AC power enters the utility panel and is distributed to the air conditioning system

6. When the air conditioning is not being used the electricity can be diverted to power other facilities or flow into the national grid

SANYO’s superior HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) technology features a thin amorphous layer on top of high quality monocrystalline silicon wafers. SANYO’s HIT solar cell is the world’s most advanced and energy efficient mass produced PV solar cell, making them the preferred choice for tracking systems and roof installations all over the world.

Cell efficiency of up to 20% - this is the world’s highest level of conversion efficiency in mass production.

More clean energy - HIT can produce more annual power output per unit area than other conventional crystalline silicon solar cells.

HIT solar cell structure

Higher performance in low light - HIT’s unique structure provides excellent sensitivity to lower light levels or indirect light. Ideally suited to temperate climates such as Northern Europe.

High performance at high temperatures - even at high temperatures HIT can maintain higher efficiency than conventional crystalline silicon solar cells.

Environmentally friendly - modules are 100% emission-free, have no moving parts and produce no noise.

Space-efficient - very high conversion efficiency allows space-saving installation and achieves maximum output power possible on a given roof area.

Under development

Once just a concept, the first solar air conditioning systems are expected to be installed in some high profile projects in 2008. Solar air conditioning will become more widely available as SANYO continues to invest in new solar PV production.

SANYO's Solar Ark – The world's largest solar power generator with over 5000 PV solar panels