Beginning in November, Small Planet Supply began assembling SkyCool panels in our Tumwater warehouse.   We’re excited to perform one piece of the production process in this innovative product which has great energy saving potential. Air conditioning and refrigeration systems consume close to 25% of electricity generated worldwide and are responsible for 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions.  With rising global temperatures, the demand for cooling will only increase.  SkyCool panels can reduce the energy needed for cooling and air conditioning by 10 to 40%. 

This blog post details more about this technology and our piece of the production process.  For those excited about using this for their residential build, you’ll have to wait awhile, as SkyCool is currently focusing on commercial and industrial applications.   

What is SkyCool?

SkyCool is a passive cooling panel that improves the efficiency of any air conditioning or refrigeration system. An optical film is applied to a flat metal pane panel. The film reflects sunlight to prevent the panels from heating during the day and also emits infrared heat to the cold sky, which keeps the panels and any fluid flowing in them cool 24/7/365. Fluid is pumped through each panel. The panels’ temperature can drop by up to 15°F below the ambient temperature with zero electricity input. The panels cool without evaporating water and only require the electricity to run a small circulating pump. The cooling effect of the panels occurs all day and night and is very well aligned with the 24/7 operation of commercial and industrial refrigeration systems where cooling is a dominant load.

How SkyCool Works

All things on earth radiate heat, but the earth’s atmosphere absorbs most of the heat that is generated and radiates it back.  However, there is a cosmic loophole in that infrared rays between 8 and 13 micrometres (μm) are not captured and escape into cold outer space. The materials in SkyCool’s panels reflect 97% of broad spectrum of light (similar to a mirror) absorbing and emitting radiation, sending the 8-13 μm outside earth’s atmosphere, effectively dumping the heat into space.  The reflection of light and emission of heat is so effective that the temperature beneath the film can drop 5 to 10-degrees Celsius (9 to 18-degrees Fahrenheit) lower than the air around it. A piping system behind the metal panels is exposed to that colder temperature, cooling the fluid inside before delivering it to refrigeration systems.

As a result of this transfer into cool space, the panels can consistently stay consistently stay cooler than the surrounding air.

Our Part In The Process

In one of our ancillary warehouses, SkyCool panels are undergoing final assembly and quality inspection. Warehouse associate and long-time employee Joe Sullivan receives crates with the components, a metal frame, and the radiation panels. Before assembly, every panel is connected to an air compressor and pressure tested to ensure there are no leaks in the system. After the panels pass the compression test, they are shifted down the purpose-built workstation to get the edges cleaned up, and the pipe fittings deburred. Next in the process is to attach the metal frame to the panel with a high strength double sided tape which is then activated by applying pressure to all of the edges with a J-roller. Once the frames are attached to the panels, insulation is added to the back side with more double-sided tape and pressure. Currently the panels are shipped with the dual mode film already applied, but in the future that will be applied by us as well.

SkyCool Applications

SkyCool’s panels can be used as an add-on to air conditioning and refrigeration systems.  In some circumstances, their panels can even replace an air conditioning unit. If it is used to fully replace an air conditioning system, SkyCool estimates an 80% to 90% reduction in energy use for cooling.

Initial Results Are Promising

The Department of Energy moonshot ARPA-E program, which provided funding to SkyCool in 2012, found that these advanced radiative panels can cut 10-20 percent of cooling use and reduces peak load demands on the electricity grid. As we work to move toward 100% electrification of our grid, SkyCool panels are a promising tool to be considered in both new and retrofit applications.  SkyCool’s passive radiative cooling panels are being evaluated in a field trial in Davis, California. You can learn more about their trials by clicking here.

To learn More about SkyCool

If you’d like to learn more about SkyCool you can visit their website or watch the TED talk that explains more about this innovative product.