Off-grid photovoltaic converter: How EnergySky SOLAR ASSIST works

Do you want to use energy from solar panels but don’t want to feed surplus power into the grid? The EnergySky SOLAR ASSIST off-grid photovoltaic converter is designed precisely for this purpose. It neither feeds solar energy into the grid nor stores it in a battery. It uses the energy directly as it is generated by the panels, for example to power a heat pump, air conditioning or water heating.

What is EnergySky SOLAR ASSIST?

Solar panels generate direct current (DC). SOLAR ASSIST converts this into 230 V alternating current and supplies it directly to the connected appliance. This could be, for example, a heat pump, an air conditioning unit or a water heater.

The advantage of this solution is that the system is designed to utilise the energy generated directly within the home. There is no need to deal with selling or feeding surplus electricity into the grid.

Why bother with feeding electricity into the grid at all?

With conventional photovoltaics, the system is connected to the distribution grid, and during generation, more electricity may be produced than the household is currently consuming. This surplus can be fed into the grid. However, this involves connecting the generation equipment, administrative procedures and the distributor’s terms and conditions.

Not every household wants to, or is able to, supply electricity to the grid. In some cases, the distributor will not authorise a connection that allows for grid export. Unwanted power flows can also be a problem, which need to be managed in a conventional setup.

SOLAR ASSIST works differently. It behaves like a standard electrical appliance in relation to the distribution network, rather than as a device that feeds electricity into the grid. Its role is to use the energy from the solar panels directly to power the connected device.

How does a photovoltaic converter work without feeding electricity into the grid?

The principle is simple. Solar panels generate electricity during the day, and SOLAR ASSIST converts it into a form that the connected appliance can use. The energy is therefore directed straight to, for example, a heat pump.

If the panels generate enough energy, the appliance uses the available solar energy. When the sun’s intensity wanes and the panels’ output is insufficient to cover current consumption, the missing energy is seamlessly drawn from the distribution grid.

For the user, this means that the appliance can continue to operate without being reliant solely on the panels’ current output. SOLAR ASSIST simply combines available energy from the sun with energy from the grid, depending on how much is needed at any given moment.

It is neither a battery nor a conventional photovoltaic inverter

One important distinction needs to be made here. SOLAR ASSIST is not a battery storage system. It does not store energy from the solar panels for later use.

It operates in real time. When the panels are generating electricity, the system uses it to power the connected appliance. When generation is insufficient, the missing energy is supplemented from the grid.

Nor is it a standard grid-connected inverter, where surplus energy can be fed into the distribution grid. SOLAR ASSIST is a ‘zero-export’ solution, meaning it does not feed electricity into the grid.

Solar support for a heat pump

One practical application is solar support for a heat pump. A heat pump requires electrical energy to operate, and part of this consumption can be covered directly by photovoltaics during daylight hours.

This approach makes particular sense for households that do not wish to deal with the standard process of feeding surplus energy into the distribution grid, but want to make the most of the solar energy they generate directly for their own appliances.

How many panels do you need?

SOLAR ASSIST can operate with as few as two solar panels and handles an output of up to 6 kW. For the average user, the key point is that the system does not need to be built as a large, conventional photovoltaic power station.

However, the number of panels and their output must be tailored to the specific appliance and how it is used. A household wishing to power a heat pump will have different requirements, whilst a different solution may be more suitable for water heating or air conditioning.

The system also includes a Wi-Fi module, which allows you to monitor its operation. The concept itself is designed so as not to require the lengthy approval process typically associated with conventional photovoltaic systems that feed electricity into the grid.

Who is SOLAR ASSIST suitable for?

A photovoltaic converter without grid feed-in may be of particular interest to households with appliances that consume electricity regularly throughout the day. Typical examples include heat pumps, air conditioning systems or water heaters.

It also makes sense if your distribution operator has not authorised you to connect a photovoltaic system that feeds electricity into the grid. It may also be suitable for those who simply do not wish to send surplus electricity outside their home.

The advantage is that you use solar energy exactly where you need it. No battery, no selling of surplus electricity, and without the system behaving like a conventional grid-connected electricity generator.

SOLAR ASSIST and EnergySky

EnergySky SOLAR ASSIST offers a simpler way to use energy from solar panels to power selected household appliances. This is not a conventional photovoltaic system feeding surplus electricity into the grid, but rather the direct use of the energy generated.

If you are looking for solar support for a heat pump, air conditioning or water heating without feeding power into the distribution grid, SOLAR ASSIST may be a solution worth considering. When designing the system, it is important to choose the appropriate wiring configuration based on the specific appliance and the home’s capabilities.