Solar Panels Direct to Hot Water | My PV SOLThor

The SOL•THOR from my-PV is a clever DC power manager that allows solar PV modules to be connected directly to an immersion heater, turning solar energy into useful hot water without the need for an additional inverter. It continuously regulates the available solar power from 0 to 3.6kW, transferring the DC electricity generated by the panels directly to the connected heating element with minimal conversion losses. The system can work with anything from one to ten solar panels, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. SOL•THOR can be used with an existing immersion heater in a hot water cylinder or buffer tank, making it a practical option for retrofitting. The PV modules connect directly to the unit using MC4 connectors, while a temperature sensor allows the SOL•THOR to control the water temperature automatically. Because it can operate independently of the electricity grid, SOL•THOR is particularly well suited to off-grid applications such as glamping pods, holiday accommodation and remote buildings. It can also provide a simple way to use additional solar panels for water heating without increasing the size of an existing grid-connected inverter. For year-round hot water, an optional mains connection can provide backup heating when there is insufficient solar energy. This allows the system to prioritise solar energy whenever it is available while still ensuring the water reaches the required temperature during poor weather or periods of higher demand. In this video, we install a SOL•THOR to test these claims for ourselves and explore how it can be integrated into an existing air source heat pump installation. We’ll look at the installation process, how the system works alongside the heat pump and whether using dedicated solar panels to heat water directly delivers worthwhile results. Key features include: Direct connection of solar PV modules to an immersion heater Continuously regulated output from 0 to 3.6kW Compatible with PV arrays containing 1–10 modules No additional solar inverter required Compatible with existing immersion heaters Optional mains backup for year-round hot water Independent operation during a power cut IP54-rated for outdoor installation LAN, Wi-Fi and RS485 connectivity Simple commissioning and control through the integrated display Find out more about the my-PV SOL•THOR - https://hub.efixx.co.uk/J2