The French Energy Cooperative Solarcoop has launched a solar router that redirects surplus photovoltaic power from self-consumption systems to electric boilers or other resistive loads, and can also control additional devices such as heat pumps.
The French community specialist Solarcoop has developed Solaroteur, an electronic device that is designed to optimize residential self -consumption and to reduce the dependence on the electricity of the grid.
The tool automatically transfers excess photovoltaic energy to specific household appliances. The current version is tailor -made for electric boilers and contains various advanced functions.
The router measures the electrical power that flows between the main panel and the utility meter. When it detects excess energy, it injects it into the resistance of the boiler and modulate the voltage to prevent the power of the grid from being pulled.
“Two extra measurements complete the monitoring by integrating the energy produced by the photovoltaic installation and led the energy to the tank,” said Solarcoop. “A temperature sensor optimizes the nocturnal heating supplement.” In addition, a night function sends extra grid electricity to the hot water tank, depending on the desired temperature.
Depending on the installation and user needs, surplus electricity can be diverted to any resistive device, as well as to heat pumps, air conditioners or engines via an output of 0-10 V. A function with load-shedding breaks devices if the consumption exceeds a defined threshold.
The router also acts as an energy manager, who is able to measure the network consumption, photovoltaic output and excess energy that is sent to devices. “Thanks to the two outputs and simple software updates, the solarouteur will be equipped over time with new functions, such as the control of heat pumps, air conditioners or charging stations for electric cars,” the cooperative said.
The device can be installed without structural changes, in addition to an electrical panel or boiler. It contains a display and Wi-Fi connection, with which users have access to real-time data such as power levels, temperature and business mode-on the device or via telephone or computer.
The current model, manufactured in France, sells for € 420 ($ 492) including VAT and supports electric boilers with a maximum of 3,600 w output.
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