ABSTRACT
A solar air system is a system that collects solar energy, converts it to heat and then transports the heat by means of air either to storage or for direct use. The collector may be similar to a conventional water collector except that instead of circulating water through the absorber, air is circulated behind, through or above the absorber. Systems that can serve more than one function are inherently more economical. Typical energy functions of solar air systems include: space heating, heating of ventilation air, water preheating, inducing cooling, electricity generation and sunshading. The solar air heated buildings presented here include a wide range of building types including single-family and multi-family housing, schools, sports halls, large industrial buildings and commercial buildings. The buildings presented in the remainder of this chapter are taken from throughout Europe and North America. Relatively few buildings with this system exist because of the expense involved in having two independent systems of air channels and fans.
