ASHRAE Solar H & C Recommendations SUMMARY The Legislative Sub-Committee of the ASHRAE Solar Energy Utilization Committee, TC 6.7, has considered methods of implementing the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act. The Committee is competent to make this consideration in view of the long term interest and experience of its members in solar energy and its utilization. The committee found that we are already past the research stages in the design and application of several forms of solar heating equipment which can be immediately applied to a variety of residential and commercial buildings. It also found that at least one form of cooling equipment suitable for cooling of residential and commercial property is already in production, and that immediate application is feasible. The committee discussed various incentives for the early widespread use of solar energy systems, and found that incentives applied to some 75% of the additional costs of solar vs. conventional systems should achieve goals of early public acceptance. This approach allows more systems to be installed than would approaches which called for ownership or full funding. The subsidy should be applied to the entire system, and not to its components, to insure best use of the components. The committee recommends a residential validation program during which a relatively small number of fully instrumented systems (30) be installed in each of five geographic zones. While data is still being obtained from these, demonstration installations are to begin in smaller quantities at first, and then in larger quantities to 2000 units in FY79. We also recommend that the demonstration period be extended thru FY80 and 81 with an additional 5500 installations. There may also be a small program of revalidation to achieve better mix of components from the validation tests. At the end of this period the private sector is expected to take over the full implementation of wide use of solar heating and cooling systems. The committee recommends a similar program in the Commercial Building Sector. Validation in each geographic area is to be accomplished in three types of application, schools, low rise buildings, and high rise buildings. A total of 30 such installations is suggested by the end of FY79. It is urged that 15 additional installations be made in an extension of the program in FY80 and in FY81. At the end of this period the private sector should take over to insure wide use of solar systems. The committee recommends that the current methods of life cycle costing be used for commercial installations, but that the comparison of costs for residential systems be tied to mortgage payments and the total cost of shelter for the owner. The costs for the subsidy of these installations is estimated as $100.6 million thru FY79, and $179.5 million if extended thru FY81. This does not include the costs of Federal monitoring and program management. It is hoped that the Congress will provide these increased amounts. The committee stated its willingness to assist in any further way in preliminary planning or the implementation of these programs, which will lead to major savings in depletable energy. ASHRAE Solar H & C Recommendations BACKGROUND The Government Affairs Committee of ASHRAE learned the Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development and Demonstration of House Committee on Science and Technology had held a hearing in Washington on February 20, 1975 to consider recommendations for implementing the Solar Heating & Cooling Demonstration Act. Since ASHRAE has had an active interest and participation in research and the development of technology for solar heating and cooling systems it expressed an interest in contributing to the solution of problems the government now faces in this field of activity. A Legislative Subcommittee of ASHRAE's Technical Committee 6.7 on Solar The approach was approved in advance by ASHRAE's Government Affairs Committee, which met in Arlington, Virginia on April 2, 1975. The conclusions reached were reviewed with David Rickelton, President of ASHRAE, near the end of the meeting. He, in turn, discussed this with the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, which met in New York, New York on April 5, and it approved the submission of this suggested program to the House Subcommittee, as a program that could be supported by a cross-section of the members of ASHRAE for the balanced, best interests of the country. QUALIFICATIONS OF ASHRAE ASHRAE is a technical society of approximately 31,000 individuals, who are engineers, scientists and others engaged in research, development, design, installation and operation of heating, air conditioning and ventilating of structures and in refrigeration and related arts and sciences. The membership is representative of research and development organizations, manufacturers, contractors, consulting engineers, educational institutions, government agencies, installers and service organizations and large users. Its activities include: research; technical programs and activities; promulgation of standards; publication of a series of Handbooks, a monthly magazine, abstracts of technical papers and technical publications. Comprehensive information regarding these activities was given to Dr. Lloyd B. Craine by Mr. Frank H. Faust, P.E., ASHRAE's Financial and Technical Consultant and Past President, in meetings in Dr. Craine's office in the Rayburn Building on March 27, 1975, at which time the following documents were left for the information of the Committee: 1. ASHRAE Annual Report 1974. 2. "ASHRAE Research on Target for the Future," which describes 50-274 075 - 22 (pt. 5) ASHRAE Solar H & C Recommendations 3. "ASHRAE Research: A Barometer of Progress In Industry," which details the research projects underway in 1974 and 1975. 4. Membership Application form and Invitation to Membership. 5. ASHRAE Publications 1974-1975. ASHRAE has for many years been interested in the utilization of solar energy for heating and cooling of buildings, which can best be accomplished in the form of special solar components and subsystems integrated into the various types of systems now available and under development. It has conducted and co-sponsored many symposia, workshops and conferences on solar energy and has supported research in this field. The following publications are attached as evidence of ASHRAE's capability and interest in the solar field: 1. "Low Temperature Engineering Application of Solar Energy, 1967." "Solar Engineering Utilization for Heating and Cooling," reprint 2. 3. of Chapter 59, ASHRAE HANDBOOK & Product Directory, NSF 74-41. "Proceedings of NSF Workshop on Solar Heating and Cooling of Buildings," coordinated by the University of Virginia and ASHRAE. |