A world leader in HVAC solutions for commercial and industrial indoor environments, AAON has activated 432 solar panels on the roof of its Exploration Centre and adjacent lab.
The panels generate about 240kW of solar energy.
AAON’s Exploration Centre is on track to be a net zero facility using advanced building systems, including photovoltaic (solar) electricity generation, geothermal fields, and AAON high-efficiency heat pumps.
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the infrastructure at the site can support up to 800+ kW of solar generation.
The Exploration Centre opened in April of this year and features geothermal wells with over nine miles of geothermal piping and high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and cooling with zero carbon emissions.
The centre shares waste heat energy with the adjacent R&D lab via water loops and excess solar electricity generation (no batteries are required).
The roof has a highly reflective coating allowing for lower temperatures and an extended life span.