It looks like a solar panel. However, the panel made by the California company SkyCool works not to collect heat, but to send heat into space, or rather deep space — space outside Earth's atmosphere, specifically outside the Earth-Moon system.
The technology developed by SkyCool adopts radiative cooling — a natural phenomenon that shows heat leaving an object. The phenomenon usually occurs naturally on calm, clear nights causing the temperature to drop very quickly from warm to cold in a short period of time.
These roof-mounted cooling panels increase the efficiency of a room's air conditioning system. They work without evaporating water and require only a small amount of electricity to run a small circulation pump.
The cooling effect of these panels can last all day and night, making them suitable for supporting the operation of commercial cooling systems, which are usually non-stop and costly.
“If you can cool buildings without electricity, without water, and make the temperature inside comfortable, it has the potential to save lives, and dramatically increase productivity around the world,” said Arjun Saroya, CEO of SkyCool Systems.
The panel itself is equipped with a film layer with high solar reflectivity and a liquid that can be cooled by the film layer up to 5 degrees Celsius.
SkyCool estimates that these cooling panels can save 500 to 600 kWh of electricity per square meter per year.
“The SkyCool system saves a grocery store owner 15 to 20 percent of the cooling costs they would incur,” Saroya said.
These cooling panels can be applied anywhere. A project in India installed the panels on street vendors’ carts, cooling the surrounding air and helping preserve fruits and vegetables so they last longer.
SkyCool is also currently developing special roofing materials for application in developing countries, where existing buildings are generally not equipped with air conditioning. (ab/uh)
