The company SVA from Lithuania has developed a very unique and innovative solar air preheater based on unique patented design of heat exchanger and the junction with the air sourced heat pump. Technology that uses utilization of solar thermal energy in building facades. By combining an existing technology for air-sourced heat pumps with a unique solar air preheating collector SVAP (using a patented heat exchanger), solar infrared spectrum will be converted into the thermal energy and improving the air-sourced heat pumps coefficient of performance or COP. During the SME Instrument Phase 1 project SVAP, a feasibility study of SVAP active facade solar unit, was performed and a business plan was elaborated. The findings of the feasibility study validated the innovation and unique value proposition of the product with users, industry and the active facades and heat pumps market. The objective of the SVAP project was to conduct a feasibility study to validate the technical and manufacturing aspects of the SVAP units and to develop an elaborated business plan. The feasibility study included the following aspects: market research, development of a business model, pilot project for the target group, pilot project for the end users, and development of a business plan.
Based on the conclusions of the feasibility study and the results of the project with all the underlying tasks, the positive results, feedback, and viable market entry strategy entail that SVA will continue to develop its product in order to effectively expand into first (Lithuania and Polish) and later, second priority markets (Germany, Latvia, Sweden, Netherlands and other) and thereby set a new standards for environmental friendly solution to increase COP of air sourced heat pumps. The strategic points laid out in the business plan are in line with SVA’s objective to reach full production capacity by producing over 30.000 m2. This objective will be reached as SVA becomes fully operational in its second priority markets by 2022.
