The images below provide a demonstration For applications with a charger and battery bank. More information is provided in the adjacent text to the image.
With an application using 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 for the device from the panels 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 Energy Converter link on the Resources page.
Click the image to start the animation.
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, environment and electrical code. See your local building codes for more information.
Heated water is stored using a dedicated heating loop. A standard electric hot water heater has a hot port, cold port, thermal relief port and cleanout port. By using the hot port and cleanout port, the device can easily be installed without having to modify the electric hot water heater. If a dedicated loop cannot be used an isolation valve may be required for the device. It is also possible to use the lower element in the tank for PV direct heating, which eliminates any changes to the existing plumbing.
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.
Operating Conditions:
Solar array operating conditions must be less 200VDC open circuit voltage and greater than 60VDC maximum power point voltage.
DC circulatory pump 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.
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 charger power changes, the device updates its own load power use accordingly.
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 operated by the device and is used to provide heat to the target application, whether it is baseboard, radiant or other hydronic based heating system.
Existing hydronic based heating system can be used with device without modification or alteration.
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.
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.