German start-up Nexol has developed a photovoltaic hot water system that relies on smart controllers with both DC and AC power.It autonomously decides whether to use grid electricity or photovoltaics, the latter always preferred.
German start-up Nexol Photovolthermic AG has launched a 1,500 W water heater that uses photovoltaic energy without the need for an additional converter.
“Starting in the third quarter of this year, the system can be ordered in three configurations,” Michael Lau, the company’s co-founder, told pv magazine.
All systems include an intelligent controller called the Nexol-Energy-Controller.It can use both DC and AC power and autonomously decides whether to use grid power or photovoltaics, the latter is always preferred.Users can choose one or two heating rods: NEX-R1 and NEX-R2.
“To install these retrofit kits, the existing tank needs a 1 ½ threaded sleeve at the proper height,” explains Lau.”We also offer a 120-litre fuel tank for the two-rod configuration, called the NEX-R2x120, and the plug-and-play principle makes installation very easy.”
If two heating rods were integrated, they could provide zone heating to the inner layer of the tank, Liu said.”The application of heating zones can significantly reduce grid power consumption,” he added.
The company describes the functional principle of two-zone heating as simple.First, the upper area of ​​the storage tank near the hot water outlet is heated to 60 degrees Celsius.This allows for quicker removal of hot water and preferential use of photovoltaics as a source of work.
In the case of low solar radiation, the intelligent system reheats the upper area of ​​the water through the network.Therefore, as little grid power as possible is used to provide hot water, since only the upper area needs to be heated for this purpose.Once the upper zone reaches its target temperature, the system switches to the lower heating element, heating the entire tank.”The energy generated by the photovoltaic panels is stored in the water,” Liu said.
The company says the standard PV installation that should be coupled to the water heater is an array with four 375 W panels.”Even with more power, other configurations are possible,” Liu added.”You just need to check the maximum input voltage of 500 V.”
This product is developed and manufactured by Nexol, Germany.It has an introductory price of 799 euros ($845) and is said to be available for the European market as well as beyond.
“For example, while the NEX-R2x120 is ideal for replacing gas boilers in homes around the Mediterranean, our R1 and R2 retrofit kits are also ideal for DACH homes to integrate into existing systems, reducing costs,” Liu concludes.
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I am looking to replace my hot water tank with one based on solar or heat pump technology.It seems that this will become the norm in a few years.This system looks interesting.Heat pump installations appear to be built on excessive installation costs.It doesn’t seem like plug and play, more install and play (or smile at reducing your bill.
For anyone interested in ecology, this object is a pure waste of everything.If you consider that 20% photovoltaic efficiency plus heating efficiency is very inefficient, plus manufacturing equipment without using photovoltaics to produce anything other than hot water.For the people who developed it, advertising it is certainly fun, but totally ecologically ridiculous and a waste of resources (remember: no planet B)
In my opinion, heating water with photovoltaic cells is a waste.To heat water, it is necessary to use photothermal, which is simpler and more profitable!
SOLAR + HEAT PUMP (COP=4-4.5) MAKE SENSE …. SOLAR + ELECTRONICS.The heater (COP=0.9-0.95) is pointless…solar + heat pump using hot and cold water (COP=7-8) is the best….
Africa is a developing continent and this type of photovoltaic system is more suitable.I am interested in seeing the whole of Africa get involved in this innovation.
When will the Nexol PV hot water system be available?Can I buy it in Southern California?
I see a niche market for situations where connecting to a rooftop solar water heater is too cumbersome but connecting to a rooftop solar panel array is more convenient.Something is better than nothing.The price point of this product still has to be lower than the incremental cost of a heat pump water heater, rather than a regular electric water heater, to make it attractive.
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