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Using solar power directly for heat generation
SOL•THOR SOL•THOR is a 0 to 3.6 kW linearly regulated DC Power Manager for photovoltaic heat. The direct current power manager utilizes direct current from photovoltaic modules directly for heat generation. Solar power is efficiently converted into heat by transferring the direct current from the photovoltaic modules exclusively and with minimal loss to a connected heating element. A notable feature of the DC Power Manager is its autonomous operation. The device does not require a connection to the power grid, as it independently draws energy from the PV generator. The heating element, such as a my-PV immersion heater, is installed separately in the heat storage unit. This allows existing heating elements in current heat storage systems to be controlled with the SOL•THOR, enabling economical retrofitting of an ecological heating system.
SOL•THOR can be flexibly used with PV system consisting of 1 to 10 PV modules.
Advantages of SOL•THOR
In the “Excellent Product Design – Building and Elements” category, the SOL•THOR received the prestigious German Design Award. With just two to three solar modules, this new DC power manager can cover between 34 and 50 percent of a two-person household’s hot water needs – well deserving of the German Design Award.
The jury emphasized the efficiency and user-friendliness of SOL•THOR: "The innovative concept of using solar power directly for heat generation represents a significant step toward self-sufficient energy supply. The SOL•THOR impresses with its ability to convert DC electricity into heat efficiently and without losses, requiring no grid connection."
Applications of the SOL•THOR
The simplest way to retrofit for ecological and economical heat in single-family homes, multi-family houses, or autonomous applications: the SOL•THOR linearly controls heating elements and uses the entire output of the photovoltaic modules for heat generation. Existing heating elements can be used, or a my-PV screw-in heating element can be integrated into the existing hot water or buffer storage.
The cables from the PV modules are plugged directly into the SOL•THOR via MC4 connectors, and the new or already installed heating element in the heat storage is connected to the SOL•THOR – that's how simple photovoltaic heating is.
Optionally, supplementary heating with electricity from the public grid is possible – for example, when the output from the PV system is insufficient due to bad weather.
In addition to using the my-PV screw-in heating element, conventional electric boilers can also be controlled by the SOL•THOR. This means that electric boilers become compatible with photovoltaic systems through the linear regulation of my-PV's DC power manager, maximizing heat yield from photovoltaic power.
For autonomous use of photovoltaic power for heating with an electric boiler or wall-mounted storage heater, the cables from the PV modules are connected directly to the SOL•THOR via MC4 connectors. The conventional electric boiler is connected to the SOL•THOR, and the integrated heating element is regulated by the my-PV DC power manager according to the photovoltaic output.
Optional backup heating with electricity from the public grid is also possible on days with insufficient sunlight.
On days with low sunlight, the SOL•THOR can utilize cheaper electricity from the public grid for heating supply.
Anyone with a photovoltaic system and a dynamic electricity tariff can use the my-PV DTO to access cheap energy from the grid for heating even on cloudy days or at night when the PV system doesn't provide enough electricity. The my-PV DTO is easily activated in the my-PV Cloud and controls heating automatically – based on the lowest market electricity prices. The my-PV DTO works in combination with all IoT-capable my-PV devices.
Linear Output max. 0 – 3.600 W, two outputs, alternately adjustable Input Voltage Range 30 – 230 V (max. open-circuit voltage) Number of MPP Trackers 1 DC Inputs 2 parallel, MC4 compatible connectors Max. Input Current 26 A, current limited Grid Connection (for optional hot water backup) Single-phase, max. 4 mm², 230 V, 45 – 65 Hz Protection Class IP54 Dimensions (W x H x D) 248,5 x 167,4 x 116,2mm (including wall bracket)
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