History of SunEarth

SunEarth Inc., incorporated in the state of California in 1978, is one of the most experienced solar thermal product manufacturers in the world.  Our primary strength is in designing advanced, low cost solar thermal collectors and packaged systems, which can be easily installed.  SunEarth also provides complete balance of system product integration for export markets, design review and mechanical engineering support, F-Chart and TRNSYS system performance simulation and analysis, detailed CAD drawings, and project subcontracting.

At a time of unprecedented consolidation in the U.S. solar thermal industry, SunEarth has a unique record of growth and expansion.  This is attributable both to timely acquisitions and to new product development activities.  In 1987 SunEarth purchased the ACRO Energy "Sunburst" production equipment, processes, and manufacturing rights.  Once America's largest liquid flat plate collector manufacturer, ACRO Energy was also the industry's low cost manufacturer.  SunEarth has further refined ACRO's capability of producing industry standard components and products at competitive prices.

In 1989 SunEarth acquired the CopperHeart integral collector storage (ICS) technology originally developed and manufactured in the early 1980's by Sun Systems of Phoenix, Arizona.  The CopperHeart ICS is designed to meet the international demand for a simple, durable, and inexpensive domestic water heating system.  The ICS design combines thermal collection and storage in a single unit and eliminates the need for additional gas or electric backup water heaters in many applications and climate areas.

SunEarth has also developed a number of strategic partnerships.  Since 1992 we have teamed with Edward's Hot Water Systems of Perth, Australia, a world leader in the manufacture of stainless steel storage tanks and boilers, to market a packaged thermosiphon solar water heating system under the brand name “SunSiphon” in North America and the Pacific Basin.  The SunEarth/Edward's collaboration offers the best of two continents - the world's finest thermosiphon storage tank and rugged, high performance SunEarth collectors.

SunEarth’s modern 65,000 square foot production facility is located in Fontana, California, adjacent to the 10 & 15 Freeways.  Our location provides easy access both to the Port of Los Angeles and our major western markets and raw material suppliers.  A substantial percentage of our annual production is presently exported outside the continental United States.

Since 1989 The Solaray Corporation (TSC), a diversified conglomerate incorporated in Hawaii, has been SunEarth's majority stockholder.  In 1992 TSC purchased the balance of SunEarth outstanding common stock and has independently managed the company since that date.

TSC's corporate offices are located in Honolulu.  In addition to managing SunEarth's activities, TSC does business in Hawaii as Inter-Island Solar Supply (IISS) and Pacific Liquid and Air Systems (PLAS).  IISS and PLAS are engaged in the wholesale distribution of mechanical equipment and renewable energy components, including solar water heating and solar electric power systems, pumps, boilers, water heaters and storage vessels, electric motors, controls and instrumentation. IISS has warehouses on Oahu, Maui, and the island of Hawaii.

Products, Markets, and Systems Integration Capabilities

SunEarth Inc. makes seven primary products.  These are the Empire and Imperial medium temperature liquid flat plate collectors, the CopperHeart integral collector storage system, the SunSiphon packaged thermosiphon system, the Oasis low temperature pool and spa collector, standard and custom all copper roll-formed absorber plates, and integrated mounting systems and hardware.  With the exception of the Oasis copper pool collector, our products are engineered for use in residential and commercial medium temperature domestic hot water heating (DHW) systems.  Specialty products, including hot air collectors, stainless steel, and all-copper collectors are manufactured to order or on spec.

SunEarth's primary domestic markets are located in Oregon, California, Arizona, Florida, the Caribbean, New Mexico and Hawaii.  Secondary markets include Washington, Nevada, Utah, New England and Colorado.  Active export markets include Latin and South America and the Pacific Basin.

SunEarth sells directly to traditional plumbing wholesalers, specialty solar wholesalers, "volume contractors", builders and utilities.  The choice of reseller is determined by the size, maturity and nature of the market.  SunEarth's vendor partners include Roy Hanson Manufacturing, Rheem Manufacturing, Lochinvar, Grundfos Pumps, March Pumps, Watts Regulator, Mueller Industries, Rubatex, Siemens Solar Industries, Trace Engineering and other leading plumbing and electronic component manufacturers.  We can supply complete packaged residential and commercial water heating systems as, or if, required by the customer. 

Testing, Certifications, and Approvals

SunEarth products have been tested, certified, and/or approved by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), IAPMO, HUD, Miami Test Lab, Dade Country, FL., City of Los Angeles, CA., and the Hawaiian Electric Co., HI.  SunEarth holds numerous SRCC 00-300 system certifications.  All performance tests have been conducted by recognized national or international laboratories in accordance with ASHRAE standards.

Current Research and Development Activities

SunEarth's most recent research and development activities include a pre-feasibility assessment for providing solar hot water for an automobile chassis cleaning and assembly facility in Quito, Ecuador.  This work was supported by a California Energy Commission competitive award (CEC Award No. IEF-96-003) and funded by the International Energy Fund (IEF).

SunEarth also has partnered with the Davis Energy Group (DEG) of Davis, CA. on the development of an inexpensive, freeze protected thermosiphon unit under a research contract proposal submitted in response to CEC RFP 500-94-502.  The proposed product is called the "Freesiphon" and was awarded the highest overall technical score and rank in the CEC solicitation.  Five prototype systems were installed in the Sacramento area in October 1998.

Further development and analysis of the Freesiphon has been conducted by DEG and SunEarth under subcontract No. AAA-8-17675-06 issued by the Midwest Research Institute and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  The contract also allowed for the initial development of a low cost ICS iteration of the Freesiphon. Development and design of Sun Belt appropriate roof integration and flashing are key aspects of the contract. A second NREL contract award for Freesiphon development was issued in April 1999.

SunEarth and DEG currently are involved in a design competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) and NREL to develop an advanced low-cost ICS solar water heating system.  The SunEarth/DEG team is presently one of two finalists under NREL contract.  Our innovative ICS design includes a rotationally molded flat water container, a formed clear plastic glazing and an immersed heat exchanger. The units are designed for rapid mounting and connection.  The SunCache design is predicated on an innovative use of low-cost materials and inexpensive production techniques.

SunEarth/DEG plan to have 10 – 12 small prototype units, tentatively named the SunCache, under stagnation testing by the end of April, 2001.  Full size prototype units are scheduled to for production and testing during the summer of 2001.

SunEarth, Solar Design Associates of Harvard, MA. and United Solar Systems Corporation of Troy, MI. have been awarded two highly competitive Department of Energy (DOE) Building Opportunities in the U.S. for Photovoltaics (PV:Bonus) contracts for the collaborative development of a hybrid photovoltaic solar thermal collector (DE-P536-970010222 and DE-FC36-97G012050 respectively).  Work began in December 1997 on Phase I and was completed in June 1998.  Our team was awarded a Phase II contract following a second competitive solicitation process.  Work started July 1, 1998.  The contract tasks require the delivery of both the hybrid collector and a building integrated product design.

The prototype product, tentatively named the Phototherm, has been tested at the Florida Solar Energy Center is presently undergoing UL testing.  A brief article appeared in Popular Science in January, 2000.