New solar unit provides heating, cooling

A new Israli-designed solar heating and air conditioning system will be marketed in the U.S. for commercial-size buildings of 300,000 square feet or less. The system features new solar collector plate design, a unique system for heating and cooling that can handle a range of input temperatures and provides both hot water and cold water for cooling, new water-based storage, and electronic microprocessor controls that are user-programmable. The first units to be delivered will compete with 250-ton units at a price range of $1 to $1.5 million and a four- to five-year payback. Delivery of 1000-ton units is planned for 1979. The manufacturer, Tadiran, plans to make the first sales directly from the factory until a U.S. distribution system is developed.