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THE PROJECT
The Institute of Social Care in Slatiňany has provided services for its clients since 1926 and its major part is situated in the buildings of a former monastery. Nowadays, more than 300 people with mental and combined disabilities find here a place for both short and long-term therapies and residence. In 1994, when an old farmhouse was to be reconstructed to accommodate new, protected workshop rooms and housing, the management decided to utilize as much renewable energy as possible to cover its energy needs. The Solar House is heated with solar collectors that are placed on its roofs, and a biomass boiler. In winter, a heat pump utilizes the low potential heat that was stored in a large tank during summer and autumn. Long-term, cross-seasonal warm water accumulation and a sophisticated monitoring and regulation system powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels are the key factors that lead to very high efficiency of the renewable energy utilization in the integrated installation. The house is practically self-sufficient in meeting its hot water and heating needs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Solar collectors: 84 units of solar collectors Heliostar H 325 produced by Slovak company Thermosolar in Žiar nad Hronom, overall net absorption area 148 m2, in four independent sections. Storage tank: 1 103 m3 for cross-seasonal accumulation, 10 metres high, 12 metres in diameter, steel enamelled shell, 70 cm thick mineral wool insulation, with two layers of aluminium foil. Heat pump: 37 kW (water-water type) for utilizing the low potential heat from the storage tank during the winter. PV panels: small capacity (< 1kW) to power the M+R system. Biomass heater: provides heat for former stables that were reconstructed in 2000 and connected to the Solar House, its heat production is interconnected with the original system, it burns waste wood chips from a sawmill 27 km away. Back-up electric heater: 37.5 kW capacity, but is rarely used, only during long-term periods of very low temperatures. Energy gains and balance:
Most of the project costs were covered by the State
Environmental Fund due to the Solar House's demonstrational
character. For the solar and accumulation system: 50%
were provided as subsidy,
Unfortunately, the project would hardly be replicable without
financial support. That shows a clear need The reconstructed Solar House provides further facilities for the social home: protected workshops, further space for therapy and residence rooms. An Energy Consulting and Information Centre has been opened in one of the rooms. Twice a week, visitors can see the solar technology in use and discuss issues relating to it with the experts who are present.
The project annually saves about 6 500 m3 of natural gas.
Furthermore, it has an educational impact.
The project is not replicable if financial support is not provided or if a legal framework for supporting renewable heat production is not adopted. Yet, it is still an excellent example of how renewable technologies, and thermal solar collectors in particular, can be used highly effectively to cover most of the housing needs for hot water and heating, also during the winter period. Not mentioned. Institute of Social Care
Miroslav Kubín - director | |||||||||||||||||||||||
TECHNOLOGY
