The simple fact that PV energy generation peaks during the daytime when many homes have low demand has seen the rise of innovative hot water diversion devices and energy storage additions to residential PV arrays.
The makers of the Solar iBoost, Marlec and VARTA Storage have been co-operating to ensure that when users of the VARTA energy storage system also want to benefit from free hot water the two systems work in harmony at capturing excess energy.
Users of these systems save more on their home energy bills for electricity and water heating simply by self consuming the solar energy generated on site at their convenience rather than solely as it’s generated. With Feed in Tariffs at their lowest and set to end in 2019 homeowners will certainly seek to maximize any investment in rooftop solar and as it is estimated that homes without any form of storage consume less than half of on-site power generation, storage systems are rapidly becoming a critical component of PV systems.
Marlec and VARTA Storage have co-operated in trials which have shown that the two technologies operate in harmony where energy storage is prioritized, drawing excess energy to recharge and provide power for electrical appliances when PV levels drop off. On reaching full charge the Solar iBoost takes over any continuing excess energy that would otherwise be exported, diverting it to a hot water cylinder’s immersion heater, effectively using water as the storage medium.
The Solar iBoost built in display enables the user to see the amount of diverted energy in real time with historic figures also displayed. It is favoured by installers for its simple installation close to the immersion, using existing components and the wireless signal from the Sender energy detector.
Whilst the UK has led the way on PV energy diversion devices, around 100,000 households already have them, the number of UK households with energy storage is presently estimated to be around 10,000 and growing. VARTA Storage is a worldwide well established battery manufacturer and has recently launched its home energy storage pulse in the UK Market. Marlec is the UK’s oldest renewable energy company, currently in its 40th year it commands more than 50% of PV diverter market.
About VARTA AG
As the parent company of the Group, VARTA AG is active in the business segments Microbatteries and Power & Energy through its operating subsidiaries VARTA Microbattery GmbH and VARTA Storage GmbH. Already an innovation leader in the microbattery sector and a market leader for hearing-aid microbatteries, VARTA Microbattery GmbH also aspires to market leadership for lithium-ion batteries. VARTA Storage GmbH focuses on the design, system integration and assembly of stationary lithium-ion energy storage systems for households and commercial applications as well as customized battery storage systems for OEM customers. The Group’s operating subsidiaries are currently active in more than 75 countries around the world, with four production and assembly facilities in Europe and Asia as well as distribution centers in Asia, Europe and the United States.
About Marlec Engineering Co Ltd
Marlec was established in 1978 and designs, develops and manufactures the renowned range of Rutland micro scale turbines. Users worldwide charge batteries for free using these turbines which are often combined with solar panels at off grid locations. Some of these may be very remote, such as mountainsides or railway tracks where grid power is inaccessible, others are locations where grid power installation is not cost-effective and a Marlec renewable energy package provides the solution. Marlec’s Solar iBoost was launched in 2012 in the height of the UK PV residential sector growth. It’s simple and easy to use operation gave it huge appeal
amongst installers and users who benefitted from free hot water at a small additional cost to the PV array, typical paybacks experienced are less than 2 years. Marlec is a private British business based in Corby Northamptonshire.
