Sun Shines Through Clear Vent Panels

Sun Shines Through Clear Vent Panels BUILDINGS Livestock 27-2-9 The problem with most drop-panel or curtain ventilation systems for livestock buildings is when they're closed, the building gets dark. Sun North Systems Ltd., Seaforth, Ontario, has solved that problem. Their Nova Lite drop panels are made with the same kind of unbreakable polycarbonate glass being used in greenhouses. Rather than a solid single pane, it's double skinned with air-filled cells between them. "It allows the producer to use natural ventilation and, even when it's completely closed, natural light can still enter the building," says Monica Bowden, Sun North's chief executive officer. She says the lightweight panels are easy to install, but can be difficult to ship. "Most of what we're making is custom sized to the building," she explains. "Some of the panels get to be 24 ft. in length. If we can standardize the panels to 8 ft., they're easier to package, handle and ship." Maximum panel height with one glass pane is 6 ft. "We can make them bigger, but we have to add extra mullions to support the glass," Bowden explains. She says they've sold Nova Lite panels for use in just about every type of livestock operation, but most have been for dairy cattle barns. "The panels are attractive, too. Some people have used them for windows in gable end walls by installing them without a track," she adds. She says the panels have about the same insulating value as glass, so they're not being used as much in areas where winters are more severe. "We can ship Nova Lite panels anywhere in North America," Bowden says. Cost is roughly $10 per square ft., which means a 6 by 8 ft. panel (48 sq. ft.) would be about $480. That does not include necessary tracks, cables and hardware to mount them on steel, wood or concrete sidewalls. Shipping is extra. Orders are usually made and shipped within two weeks of the time they're received. Sun North technicians can also install the panels. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Sun North Systems Ltd., 92 Railway Street, Box 668, Seaforth, Ontario, Canada N0K 1W0 (ph 519 527-2470; fax 519 527-2560; E-mail: sunnorth@sunnorth.com; Website: www.sunnorth.com).

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