Solar Improvements for Increased Energy Efficiency and Lower Carbon Emissions

BRIGHTSMITH Coaters installs ATAS manufactured InSpire HP solar air heating panels. 

On May 2, 2023, BRIGHTSMITH Coaters in Morrisville, Pennsylvania had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of InSpire HP solar air heating metal wall panels and a rooftop solar photovoltaic array on their building. BRIGHTSMITH is a state-of-the-art coil coating and post-painting company. Their post-painting facility is in Trenton, New Jersey. The ribbon cutting was attended by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, members of the executive committee of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, the Falls Township Police Department, along with many BRIGHTSMITH customers and employees.

A total of 27,000 square feet of InSpire HP solar air heating panels (manufactured by ATAS) were installed on the south facing wall of this building. The high performing panels were mounted a few inches from the building’s outer wall. The precision perforations in the wall panels allow outside air to travel through the face of the panel. Solar heated air at the surface of the panel is drawn through the perforations, where it rises between the newly created plenum and enters the building’s central ventilation system or supply fan. InSpire HP utilizes a unique selective surface that has high solar absorption and low emittance ratings which makes the system even more effective than traditional InSpire panels, which have a 70% PVDF painted finish. The Select Blue color of InSpire HP was chosen by BRIGHTSMITH for their building. The system also shades the building structure in the summer months thereby reducing internal temperatures of the building.

The maximum air flow for this InSpire HP system is 226,000 cfm, with a peak efficiency of 89.5%. The yearly output of 1,210,000 kWh per year has a natural gas equivalent of 9,526 million BTUs per year, resulting in an annual savings of $90,620. The InSpire HP solar air heating system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 602 tons of CO2 per year (equivalent to removing 110 cars off the road).

To further increase the energy efficiency of this building, a 647.8 kW DC (562.5 kW AC) solar photovoltaic array was installed on the roof. The annual solar production is expected to generate 847,200 kWh of electricity, saving the company over $38,000 annually in electric generation charges. Since December 1, 2022, 156,547 kWh have been generated, resulting in $7,200 in electric savings since that time. The rooftop solar photovoltaic array and the solar air heating panels were installed by Scalo Solar Solutions of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Currently, a 30% federal tax credit is being offered for certain building improvements, such as the addition of solar air heating and/or solar photovoltaics systems, and many states also offer incentives. To learn more, visit www.dsireusa.org, which is a database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency. With this recent improvement to BRIGHTSMITH’s headquarters, it demonstrates how rooftop solar photovoltaics and InSpire HP solar air heating wall panels can work together, resulting in an energy efficient building with lower carbon emissions.

About ATAS International, Inc.

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, perimeter edge metal and accessories. The ATAS portfolio features an expansive selection of products available in aluminum, steel, zinc, stainless steel and copper. Standard profiles include narrow and wide ribbed wall panels, corrugated styles, standing seam and batten seam roof systems, metal shingles, shakes, tiles and more. Additional options include curved, tapered and perforated panels; concealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over 40 stock colors with 70% PVDF finish. With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solarready roof panels, insulated metal panels, cool roofing products and solar air heating wall panels. The ATAS team consists of product and market specialists that provide a high level of support for your project, from initial discovery and design to installation. ATAS has two ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing locations in the United States: the headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and their facility in Mesa, Arizona. ATAS also has a second location in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and recently added a new manufacturing location in University Park, Illinois. For more information about ATAS International, please visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445. For more information about InSpire solar air heating panels, visit www.inspirewall.com.