Solar panel on a roof with an arrow pointing to a connected water heater, illustrating solar energy usage for heating.
|General

eFIXX tests SOL•THOR: Direct PV-powered hot water without an inverter

The popular electrical installation YouTube channel eFIXX has put the my-PV SOL•THOR DC Power Manager to the test. In a new installation video, the team demonstrates how photovoltaic modules can be connected directly to a hot water cylinder – without an inverter and without a grid connection.

An 18-module PV system powers the property, with three modules dedicated exclusively to domestic hot water generation and connected directly to SOL•THOR. The video follows the entire installation process, from unboxing and wiring to commissioning and monitoring in the my-PV Cloud. Along the way, the eFIXX team explains the device's key features and demonstrates how easy it is to convert sunlight directly into hot water.

Dedicated PV for water heating is becoming increasingly relevant as grid regulations evolve. It is an ideal solution where inverter capacity is limited, grid export is restricted or curtailed, additional AC-coupled PV cannot be connected, or in off-grid applications where no grid connection is available. By assigning a separate PV string exclusively to hot water generation, homeowners can cover a significant share of their annual domestic hot water demand with solar energy while maximising the value of every kilowatt-hour produced.

Hot water directly from PV

The SOL•THOR is a 0 to 3.6 kW linearly controlled DC Power Manager that converts photovoltaic energy directly into heat. Instead of feeding electricity into the grid, it transfers the DC power from photovoltaic modules directly and with minimal losses to an immersion heater. Since the device operates completely independently of the electricity grid, no inverter or grid connection is required.

Another key advantage is its flexibility. SOL•THOR can be used with one to ten PV modules and is compatible with both new and existing hot water cylinders. Existing immersion heaters can often continue to be used, making it a simple and cost-effective solution for retrofitting solar hot water generation.

More information about the SOL•THOR

How does it work in practice?

Watch the video

The practical concept impressed the eFIXX installers. As Gordon from the eFIXX team summarises in the video:

"It's not just a solar controller – it's a complete hot water management system."

Watch the full video for a detailed look at the installation and discover how easily photovoltaic energy can be converted directly into hot water with SOL•THOR.

For data protection reasons, the loading of third-party providers requires your consent. More information can be found in our privacy policy.

Buy my-PV products

at our suppliers

my-PV products help you to use your self-generated photovoltaic power for your own needs without any detours. You can find the right source of supply here:

Supply Sources

Don’t miss out!

Sign up for the newsletter now.

The solar-electric newsletter for your advantage.

You are

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More News

Partner

my-PV Now Officially Integrated into Home Assistant Core

my-PV is now officially integrated into Home Assistant Core for seamless smart home control of solar-powered heating.

Read more...

Partner

New Compatibility Partner: Deye

my-PV products are now also compatible with Deye inverters, which are rapidly gaining market share in Europe.

Read more...

Partner

my-PV is now compatible with Janitza

my-PV now integrates Janitza meters – proven devices from professional energy metering technology.

Read more...

References

Solar-electric hot water in a two-family home

Two-family home in NRW uses its 24.75 kWp PV system with cloud-free smart home and AC ELWA 2 for hot water.

Read more...

Partner

New compatibility partner SAX Power

The battery storage systems from SAX Power are now compatible with the solar electric solutions from my-PV!

Read more...

Partner

New compatibility partner: batterX

my-PV’s solar power solutions are now also compatible with batterX inverters.

Read more...