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Frankfurt am Main/Remscheid, 13 March 2013

• Maximising personal use of solar power generated on-site

• Faster amortisation of photovoltaic units for users

• Surplus solar-generated electricity stored as heat

At the 2013 ISH trade fair, heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist the Vaillant Group has announced the formation of a partnership with SMA Solar Technology AG. Together, the two companies plan to develop an energy management system that enables homeowners to make maximum on-site use of the power their own electricity generation systems produce. The envisaged energy management system will link the power and heat generated by Vaillant’s heat pumps and photovoltaic units within the home and will facilitate optimal coordinated regulation. Consequentially, homeowners will be able to reap the greatest benefit from their in-home photovoltaic units as income from feed-in tariffs falls. At the same time, their units’ amortisation period will shorten considerably. Since Germany’s law on renewable energy (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetzes, EEG) was amended in May 2012, how much use homeowners make of their own photovoltaic units is what defines the units’ economic efficiency. This means that it is currently more lucrative for private operators of photovoltaic systems to maximise consumption of the power they generate themselves.

Storage of surplus electricity made easy for the first time

The energy management system will not just enable users to harness the electricity they generate to operate electrical devices, but they can also store it in the form of heat. If domestic appliances such as washing machines, driers or dishwashers are not using all of the electricity being generated by an in-house system, this electricity drives the heat pump and loads the hot-water storage unit. This increases on-site electricity usage and guarantees that the heat pump is even more environmentally friendly.

Two sector leaders join forces

Based in Niestal near Kassel, SMA Solar Technology AG is the world’s top name in the development, production and operation of solar inverters. The company also offers innovative key technologies for the energy supply structures of the future. SMA is active in 21 countries and is the biggest-selling supplier in this particular business segment. It has amassed years of experience in energy management so electricity consumers can make the very best use of the power generated by their own photovoltaic systems.

As an international market and technology leader for heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, the Remscheid-based Vaillant Group develops and produces specially tailored products, systems and services that enhance the comfort of your home. The company’s product portfolio extends from efficient heating appliances based on conventional energy sources to system solutions for deploying renewable energy.