)
Three PV modules cover 50% of hot water needs
Is there still space available on your balcony alongside your balcony power plant? With just a few additional modules, you can generate significant amounts of hot water – using SOL•THOR.
In Germany and Austria, the output of balcony power plants that do not require registration or approval is limited to 800 watts. This output is already achievable with just two solar modules. For those with more space available, it has so far been possible to install additional balcony power plant modules with microinverters and standard plugs. However, this required undergoing complex approval processes for a grid-connected system. With the new DC power manager, SOL•THOR, which my-PV will launch in the first quarter of 2025, approval requirements are eliminated – because it’s an autonomous solution.
What is a balcony power plant?
Balcony power plants are simple to implement and are gaining popularity. Their goal is to allow private individuals to operate small photovoltaic systems without cumbersome approval processes. A microinverter converts the direct current (DC) from the module directly into usable alternating current (AC), which can then be fed into the household electrical system via a standard outlet. Installation and operation are straightforward, the cost savings are easy to calculate, and the investment – compared to a larger PV system – is very manageable. There is no complicated registration or approval required, making it an easy way to reduce electricity costs – even in apartments.
What to do if there’s extra space on the balcony?
If you want to utilize the entire available area of your balcony railing for photovoltaics, you still don’t have to go through the complicated approval process for a grid-connected system. The solution: Use the remaining space with standard modules to produce hot water with photovoltaics via an electric boiler!
This innovative approach allows larger balcony railings to be fully utilized for energy generation. The balcony power plant can continue to support household appliances and alleviate traditional electricity consumption. Additionally, for water heating, it is now possible to install standard photovoltaic modules with MC4 connectors either as a supplement or a complete alternative. Using a standalone PV heat control device, a conventional electric boiler can be transformed into a solar energy storage unit for daytime use.
Standard photovoltaic modules (with MC4 connectors) are 50% more affordable than balcony power plant modules equipped with microinverters and Schuko plugs.
my-PV is set to launch SOL•THOR, a standalone control unit for PV-powered heating, at the beginning of 2025. The number of modules can be individually adjusted from 1 to 10. This innovation bridges the gap between balcony power plants with two modules and grid-connected PV systems, which typically have a capacity of more than 5 kWp. With SOL•THOR, the direct current from the PV modules can be used for water heating without the need for an inverter. This allows solar energy to be utilized for heating without requiring any permits, as the PV modules are not connected to the public power grid. The seamless regulation range from 0 to 3.6 kW accommodates the full spectrum of standard electric boilers, ensuring that even during periods of low PV yield, the device can maintain a minimum temperature to ensure comfort.
)
What can be expected?
Let’s consider the case of an apartment in Central Europe where two standard photovoltaic modules, each with 450 Wp, are combined with a SOL•THOR to handle water heating. The modules are south-facing and mounted vertically on the balcony railing. They supply power to an electric boiler with a 120-liter capacity and an internal 2 kW heating element. The apartment is home to two people who together require approximately 100 liters of hot water daily.
Using a reputable dynamic simulation program, it can be calculated that such a system can cover 34% of the annual hot water demand for the two residents. This reduces the grid electricity required for the electric boiler by one-third.
Is it economical? Yes!
This one-third reduction corresponds to nearly 700 kWh of energy that no longer needs to be purchased from the electricity provider. At an average electricity price of €0.35/kWh, this results in annual savings of €245. Additionally, many residential buildings already come equipped with a hot water storage tank and heating element, which can be easily adapted for PV heating.
When the annual savings are compared to the investment, assuming an end-user price of €100 per module (including VAT) and €830 for the SOL•THOR (including VAT), plus a small additional cost for wiring and accessories, the payback period is just 4 to 5 years. In times of increasing energy supply uncertainties and volatile market prices, this represents an exceptionally simple solution for greater independence in heat supply. Moreover, the SOL•THOR operates even during power outages, making it a truly off-grid solution.
If additional space is available, a system with three modules can achieve 50% of the hot water demand in the same example. This also reduces the payback period to just three years!
)
Curious to learn more about the SOL•THOR?
The new DC Power Manager
The DC Power Manager converts solar power into heat directly from photovoltaic modules to a heating element with minimal losses, requiring no grid connection or approval process.
More information hereMore News
)
Company
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2025
During Christmas, we are taking a short break. Our technical support will be available during the holidays.
Read more...)
References
New feed-in regulations in the Netherlands require a rethink
A Dutch homeowner minimizes feed-in fees by utilizing surplus PV energy to heat water.
Read more...)
Company
SOL•THOR wins German Design Award 2025
The DC Power Manager SOL •THOR has received the German Design Award in the category “Excellent Product Design”.
Read more...)
General
Minimizing feed-in costs in the Netherlands
The Netherlands introduced a fee for feeding electricity into the grid. Fees can be reduced by increasing self-consumption.
Read more...){kind=logo}
Partner
SOFAR: New compatible manufacturer for my-PV
Our grid-connected products are now compatible with inverters from SOFAR, one of the largest inverter manufacturers in China.
Read more...)
References
Backup for the heat pump: Maximizing self-consumption with AC ELWA 2
After three failures of their heat pump, the owners of a single-family home decided to install a PV heating element.
Read more...