Van Zaal is proud of the renewable energy system delivered to Crisp Green Farming in Namibia. The aim of this solar installation is harvesting and storing a maximum amount of solar energy per day. This system provides a power solution with low cost, is self-sufficient and reliable. The system consists of: 5 (hot water) solar collector fields, a mixing valve, a conveyor line, and a heat storage tank. The water content in the solar collectors has been kept small to swiftly achieve the desired temperature of 55 degrees Celsius.
The heat storage tank uses the natural properties of water, stratification. The hot water is located on the top of the tank and the cold water at the bottom. This layering is essential for the total energy system. The better the stratification, the higher the efficiency of the installation. In the heat storage tank a special column is constructed, which has an important function. At 4 metres from the ground, the hot supply water of the collectors flows in the column, where the flow is almost completely reduced. The incoming water temperature finds its own temperature level in the tank.
In the top of the tank there’s a special construction, which guides the hot water to the greenhouse. The cold return water from the greenhouses opens into the lower portion of the tank through the column. The water will automatically find the layer with the right temperature. In short, optimal use of the energy content in the heat storage tank.
Van Zaal strives to spread green energy to areas where there is a demand for sustainable solutions. Similar projects by Van Zaal are now operational in Mexico, Ethiopia, Kenya and Eastern Europe.
More information:
Frans van Zaal Totaal Techniek BV
Bedrijvenweg 10
1424 PX De Kwakel
Telefoon: +31 (0) 297 344 344
Fax: +31 (0) 297 326 280
E-mail: info@vanzaal.com