Solarheart

Teapopper

Hi guys

Have any of you seen this ?, some sort of stirling engine ?

http://www.coolenergyinc.com/solar.html

Cariboocoot

Re: Solarheart

That's what it says in the first sentence: "The components of the SolarFlow® System include the SolarHeart® Engine which incorporates Stirling engine technology,"

Otherwise ... who knows? Interesting idea, if it works.

BB.

Re: Solarheart

Yes, it is a Stirling Engine based design... At the moment, appears to be vaporware or perhaps one prototype of some sort (no details about prototype or who/when it was produced). From their blog:

The volume production ASP estimate for the current engine is about $6000 for a 1KW engine, which will produce a retail price of $7500 – $9000 depending on distribution channel. Keep in mind that 1KW in a solar thermal system produces 4000 to 5000 kWh in a year depending on location, since the engine runs on the thermal energy stored in the tank even when the sun has set.
The thermoelectric system ASP would be at least $15K, for an ASP of for a retail price using the same distribution channel math of $20,000 to $25,000.

Also, a news article about the company--a bit more information. But everything is a discussion of the future. Does not sound like they have much funding at this time.

And another article about the company and their market... $20-$40,000 for a unit (1kW?) and 8 people working there (Feb 2009).

They do have a press release about getting a prototype running from September of 2009.

-Bill