Our designs start with data collected by a variety of government agencies, including the US Department of Energy (DOE), the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Canadian RETScreen International initiative. 

We collect, and synthesize these resources to build energy models.  We use these energy models to perform computer based experiments on proposed designs.  We then take the best of these designs and build pilot scale models.  Typically our pilot scale models are between 1% and 10% of full scale.  The scale models are used to collect data by our scientist and technicians.  Once we are satisfied with the models, we then build a full scale model. 

Below is a graph showing the available energy in the Detroit area using 30 years worth of data.  This data is given in watts per square foot.  To obtain BTUs per square foot you can multiply by 3.41.

Our analysis indicates that there is approximately 0.1 Kilowatts (100 watts) of energy per square foot of sunlight per day in December in the Detroit area.  For solar radiation, the winter solstice occurs when the least energy is available. Similarly, our analysis shows that there is approximately 560 watts of energy per square foot in June, which corresponds to the summer solstice. This graph can be used to set expectations for solar electricity and heat. 

We use this type of data to build scientific and engineering models which are used for our solar designs.  We also test all of our components to insure that they deliver the expected results in the upper Midwest.  The subpages on the left provide access to a small fraction of our experimental results.