Heard of Hybrid Cars? Now Pasadena Water & Power Installs Super Efficient, Hybrid Solar Air Conditioning Units

Pasadena Water and Power has installed four hybrid solar-powered Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) pumps at several school locations in partnership with the Pasadena Unified School District.

PWP General Manager Gurcharan Bawa said the units have a capacity to produce 900 watts and can draw up to 90 percent of their power needs from three solar photovoltaic modules during peak sun hours, reducing cooling costs significantly.

The units also use smart-circuit functions allowing them to supplement with grid power when the sun sets.

Bawa said all four hybrid solar-powered HVAC pumps were placed at school sites that either did not have an existing HVAC system or central air conditioning.

The hybrid solar-powered HVAC pumps were partially funded by a grant from the American Public Power Association, funds from Southern California Public Power Authority, and PWP.

The systems will still be evaluated, measured and tested over a series of months, and PWP will also seek feedback from PUSD’s facilities maintenance team.

From these pilot-testing technologies, PWP, the product developer and power customers could better understand the benefits and limitations of the system. Developers can then make the necessary enhancements to make the system ready for broader use, PWP said.