HILDEBRAND Solar
HILDEBRAND Solar combines decades of experience in lumber drying with state-of-the-art solar technology. Our solutions use the sun where its energy is needed: directly in the dry kiln. With our “Sunroof” and “Solar Heat Boost” innovations, every ray of sunshine is turned into a usable resource for your production. At HILDEBRAND, we are pursuing a clear goal: to make lumber drying more economical, more efficient and more independent.
The HILDEBRAND Power Station (HPS)
For continuous kilns (HCK) and vacant roof areas (e.g. warehouses, lightweight buildings), Hildebrand Solar provides the optimized „HPS“ modular solution:
- Industrial-suited all-aluminum construction: stable, lightweight and corrosion-resistant
- Modules are scalable: from 1,000 sqft to >17,000 > (100 m² to >1,500 m²) roof surface area
- East-west orientation at the optimum pitch for uniform daily revenues
- Full use of reflective aluminum trapezoidal roofs thanks to bifacial glass-glass modules
- Full integration into existing Brunner Vector control systems
- Maintenance-friendly & durable thanks to high-quality glass-glass technology (25+ year performance guarantee)
Profitability:
- Price: starting at 130 €/m² or 600 €/kWp
- Amortization: 3 – 5 years (depending on electricity price and usage)
Using dry kiln roofs economically
With conventional lumber dry kilns, only around 50% of the roof area can be used for regular PV systems. The main limitations are due to the lumber drying process:
- Shading by roof structures, such as heat recovery systems
- Steam and condensate formation from the exhaust air
- Necessary maintenance access & safety distances
- Different construction heights of neighboring buildings/dry kilns
The HILDEBRAND sunroof
Where there used to be vacant roof space, a high-performance solar system is being created. An additional roof structure is mounted directly onto the existing structures of your dry kiln – technically and statically adapted to your system. The proven HPS modules can be integrated optimally into the resulting roof structure thanks to the steam and condensate drainage provided. With additional lateral overhangs, the usable PV area can be more than quadrupled with the HILDEBRAND sunroof.
The dynamic energy boost
Solar energy for your power drying phases
Do you have problems reaching your target temperatures quickly?
Many boiler systems reach their limits, particularly in alternating climate processes, as they are often too slow to react to process changes.
he solar heat boost with 100% efficiency converts PV-generated power directly into heat using direct current heating elements:
- Ohmic resistance = 100% conversion efficiency
- No inverter losses
- Full solar energy for your drying process
- Support for the boiler system at peak load
We have two direct current systems for you to choose from:
Electric heating coil integrated in the air flow Hot water bypass with DC immersion heater.
Both variants enable your kiln to heat up faster, minimize dead heat losses and achieve dynamic alternating climate peaks. The alternating climate demonstrably allows for shorter drying times with better drying quality.
Electric heating coil in the airstream
Hot water bypass with DC immersion heater
What this means for you:
- Turbo heating-up without additional boiler power
- Deliberate heat boosts in alternating climate phases lead to better lumber quality
- Consistent boiler utilization without temperature peaks
- Faster throughput, fewer drying hours
- Less network load & lower heating cost
With the connection to our intelligent Brunner Vector kiln controls, the system automatically adapts to the available solar energy – more efficiency, more flexibility, less downtime.
