New solar heaters exported to Asia - Brief Article

Business Asia, Oct 25, 1999

A Cardiff-based company is turning the heat up on Asia with a new solar hot water heater which almost twice as efficient as conventional models.

Quantum Energy Systems' hot water heater is the result of more than 20 years' research and is now being exported to countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, New Zealand and Fiji.

Some of Singapore's top hotels, such as Raffles and the Royal Crown Plaza, use the Quantum system.

The heater works on the same principle as a refrigeration circuit, drawing heat out of one space and discharging it into another.

Its advantages include: the storage tank is installed at ground level, not the roof, the panels fit snugly on a roof and do not upset the aesthetics of the building; the panels are corrosion free, even in coastal areas; the system does not rely on direct sunlight and can produce hot water in all conditions, even at night; and heat energy can be absorbed from the sun, wind, rain and ambient air.

The Quantum product range is manufactured in Newcastle.

A spokesman said the highly productive factory was capable of supplying the increasing demand for the heater nationally, as well as for international markets.

Quantum is a 100 per cent Australian-owned company which had its beginnings in the 1970s at the University of Melbourne.

At the time, the university was doing research on heat-pump technology.