The images below provide a demonstration related to applications with a charger and battery bank. More information is provided in the adjacent text to the image.
In an application with a charger and battery bank, the charger always acts as the primary load for the solar panels. As the battery bank becomes charged, the amount of available power from the panels to the device increases. The charger and device operate in parallel to each other and can operate simultaneously without conflict.
It is important to note the size of the solar array AND the environmental factors (Sun, shading, temperature, etc) determine the amount of solar power available. For more information relating solar power to heat (BTUs), see the Facts [+] Math page.
Click the image to start the animation. Click while running to pause or click once complete to restart.
device Installation
for domestic hot water with battery bank and charger
What the animation shows:
PV panels are installed in a location with optimal Sun exposure. For demonstration purposes, a roof mount system is shown, but any configuration is acceptable.
PV power wires are run from the panels to the device. Wire gauge and conduit based on operating conditions and environment. See your local building codes for more information.
Heated water stored using a dedicated heating loop. A standard electric hot water heater has a hot port, cold port, thermal relief port, cleanout port. By using the hot port and cleanout port, the device can easily be installed without effecting the operation of the electric hot water heater. Other installation options are possible. If a dedicated loop cannot be used, such as when the hot and cold ports on the tank are used, an isolation valve may be required for the device.
What the animation doesn’t show:
Combiner box and/or circuit breaker panel may be required. This would be installed as close to the panels as possible.
Inline strainer is recommended if cleanout port on electric hot water tank is used. This is to prevent sediment at the bottom of the tank from being pumped through the heating loop.
Electric hot water heater thermostat should be lowered to allow the device to be the primary heat source.
Device with a properly sized relay can be used to turn the electric heater on/off to ensure solar power is primary source during daylight hours. This allows operation without adjustment to electric heater thermostat.
Operating Conditions:
Solar array operating conditions must be less 250VDC open circuit voltage and greater than 40VDC maximum power point voltage. Maximum device power draw is 2kW.
Maximum operating temperature is 70C (158F).
DC circulatory pump of 10W or less can be directly powered by the device. If a larger pump is required an external power source is needed.
Size of the elements are based on the power of the solar array. Maximum power draw from the device is 2kW.
Actual power used by device is based on solar conditions at your location.
device Operation
for domestic hot water with a battery bank and charger
What the animation shows:
Battery bank is given priority for PV power. The device monitors the charger and determines the power available from the panels.
Available power increases as batteries charge. This power is automatically diverted to the heating device while the batteries continue to charge.
Heating device is undetectable by the charger to prevent disturbances to the battery system.
What the animation doesn’t show:
Efficiency of device at least 95% under all operating conditions. Maximum power tracking performed by device.
Maximum power point tracking performed by the device to keep solar system at the peak operating point.
Power sharing mode allows both the charger and heating device to use PV power at the same time. As the amount of power the charger requires changes, the device updates its own load accordingly.
Activated backup power by the device possible if target temperature is not reached by a user defined time of day. This ensures hot water on cloudy days. External relay may be needed.
device Operation
for Space heating with a battery bank and charger
What the animation shows:
PV direct power is used for space heating. An inline circulatory pump is contained in the device and used to provide heat to the target application, whether it is baseboard heat, floor radiant or other hydronic based heating system.
Existing hydronic based heating system can be used with device without modification or alteration.
Secondary heat source, (oil powered boiler shown in demo) can be activated by the device or by normal means from a thermostat.
What the animation doesn’t show:
Battery bank is given priority for PV power. The device monitors the charger and determines the power available from the panels. THIS IS NOT SHOWN SO OPERATION OF SPACE HEATER WITH FURNACE CAN BE FOCUSED ON.
Available power increases as batteries charge. This power is automatically diverted to the heating device while the batteries continue to charge.
Heating device is undetectable by the charger to prevent disturbances to the battery system.
Efficiency of device at least 95% under all operating conditions. Maximum power tracking performed by device.
Power sharing mode allows both the charger and heating device to use PV power at the same time. As the amount of power the charger requires changes, the device updates its own load accordingly.