ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

SOLAR ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WATER HEATING

A novel alternative Energy solution using Solar and electricity to heat water in existing and new electrical hot water systems. The simplicity of this system means that there is little modification required to an existing electrical hot water system, and makes the installation of a new system as simple as it has always been with grid electrical supply.

USEDASUN utilizes photo voltaic solar panels to generate electricity in an innovative way to heat water, while saving you on electrical bills.

The use of a boost converter, means less power lost over long distances whilst allowing an easier transmission of power with the boosted voltage. Innovative Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques, increases the energy that is converted into the hot water system. These innovative ideas allow this system to use solar energy more efficiently, reducing the amount of equipment required.

A novel alternative Energy solution using Solar and electricity to heat water in existing and new electrical hot water systems. The simplicity of this system means that there is little modification required to an existing electrical hot water system, and makes the installation of a new system as simple as it has always been with grid electrical supply.

USEDASUN utilizes photo voltaic solar panels to generate electricity in an innovative way to heat water, while saving you on electrical bills.

When clients wish to supply their own panels, there can be a number of options that the client can follow to achieve the requirements.

1. For use with a 3KW geyser element, the minimum input voltage to the controller is 180V MPPT D.C. voltage to get any power flowing into the element.
2. The highest open circuit input voltage the solar geyser unit can handle is 400V D.C.
3. The maximum amount of solar power the standard solar geyser controller can handle is 1,500W or 1.5kW.
4. The maximum geyser element that the solar geyser can handle is 3kW.
5. The minimum size of element can be as low as 500W, however the amount of PV panels should be adjusted accordingly to not exceed the element power.

Any deviations to the above then becomes a non-standard solar geyser controller, and requires a separate quote for the specific application.

There are 2 ways in which the client can take the project on.

1. For use with a 3KW geyser element, the minimum input voltage to the controller is 180V MPPT D.C. voltage to get any power flowing into the element.
2. The highest open circuit input voltage the solar geyser unit can handle is 400V D.C.

Within the purchasing of a preassembled unit, this makes installation very simple. Basically 2 wires from the solar panel to the input, and the geyser element connected to the output.

In the preassembled unit, there are 2 basic types that are available.

1. On a base plate, intended for installation in the ceiling near the geyser.
2. In an IP65 orange enclosure, intended to be placed on the outside wall of the house possibly under the eaves, out of direct sunlight, to reduce ambient heating of the enclosure during operation.

The preassembled options are as follows

• Basic system, as above, which is manually controlled by a switch somewhere in the house or a geyser timer for using mains to heat up the water when required. This can include a temperature indicator if required.
• Basic system, as above, includes a kW Hour meter with built in time switch, temperature probe and display which is installed in a convenient position in the house, which shows kW Hour saved, real time clock with 3 programmable switching times, and manual over ride.
• Basic System as above but installed inside an IP65 wall mount enclosure, which is manually controlled by a switch somewhere in the house or a geyser timer for using mains to heat up the water when required. This can include a temperature indicator if required.
• Basic System as above but installed inside an IP65 wall mount enclosure, includes a kW Hour meter with built in time switch, temperature probe and display which is installed in a convenient position in the house.
• The addition of a recommended electrostatic surge arrester, to protect the panels and electronic controllers.

Within the preassembled units, there are a number of options that are available to the user.

A basic system will include

Selecting PV panels to match your requirements.

There are a number of options available to achieve this.

• Use 5 high voltage PV panels, 63V – 265/270W panels which will give 315V D.C. at 1325/1350W – direct connection to geyser controller no convertor/booster required
• Use 5 off standard 270W panels with a voltage convertor/booster on each panel – 305V D.C. at 1350W (5 off HVPVCB-30V300V265W and one HVPV-5W - High Voltage Converter Connector unit)
• Use 5 off standard 270W panels with a voltage 150V to 300V convertor/booster – 305V D.C. at 1350W (1 off HVPVCB-120V300V1200W – requires suitable MC4 ended extension from PV panels to geyser unit)
• Use 4 off 330W panels with a voltage 150V to 300V convertor/booster - 300V D.C. at 1320W (1 off HVPVCB-120V300V1200W – requires suitable MC4 ended extension from PV panels to geyser unit)
• Use 4 off 350W panels with a voltage 150V to 310V convertor/booster – 310V D.C. at 1400W (1 off HVPVCB-120V300V1200W – requires suitable MC4 ended extension from PV panels to geyser unit)

The above system is suitable for a family of 4 using the heated water conservatively.

Any additional hot water requirements can be heated by switching over to the grid.

It is important that the panels face north, and have a typical angle of 22°.

Ensure that there are no shadows on the panels during the day, as this will affect energy transfer from the PV panels.

Ensure that the panels are located in a position which allows for easy cleaning of the panels when required.

To read more on how to go about setting this up, download our brochure: Download Brochure