For many years, we’ve worked closely with photovoltaic system provider SOLARWATT to implement forward-looking technologies for a sustainably powered energy world. SOLARWATT has now further developed its energy manager SOLARWATT Manager flex, once again in close cooperation with us. For the first time, our new platform generation KiwiOS X is being employed.
The SOLARWATT energy manager optimizes the entire decentralized energy system and is very easy to install. It can be easily and flexibly controlled via the SOLARWATT Manager portal, which also allows users to keep an eye on their photovoltaic (PV) system at all times, from anywhere.
“The SOLARWATT Manager flex controls energy flows so that as much self-produced solar power as possible is used by a household or in commercial operations. It’s an elementary component of every PV system and already enables the simple integration of an EV or heat pump. In this way, homeowners can reduce their CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent,"
according to SOLARWATT’s Managing Director Detlef Neuhaus.
“The latest generation of our energy service platform KiwiOS X shows its full strengths for the first time in the SOLARWATT Manager flex, such as its automatic installation, complete, device-independent sector coupling and integration into the energy market. With Solarwatt, we can shape the future topics of the energy transition – including vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid – in a reliable, secure and scalable manner,"
added Kiwigrid’s CEO Dr. Frank Schlichting.
Efficient use of time-based grid tariffs
The SOLARWATT Manager flex optimizes energy flows according to customers’ exact needs, either by aiming for the highest possible self-consumption of solar power or the greatest cost optimization. These settings can be flexibly adjusted at any time. The energy manager is now on the market and can be easily retrofitted to existing solar modules, inverters and battery storage systems.
Additionally, the SOLARWATT Manager flex enables the efficient use of time-based grid tariffs.
"If there is no solar power available, our energy manager switches on at times when power from the grid is particularly cheap,"
emphasizes Detlef Neuhaus.
Intelligent EV charging
The SOLARWATT Manager flex enables the control of a wallbox and, therefore, intelligent EV charging, an important step towards sector convergence. With the help of the energy manager, Solarwatt’s customers can charge their vehicles with clean solar power for around EUR 1.50 per 100 kilometers. Solarwatt has already worked with wallbox provider Keba since 2018. From now on, charging systems from the Bavarian automotive company Webasto can also be controlled and optimized via SOLARWATT Manager flex.
Users have the option of optimizing charging according to different criteria, as Solarwatt’s Product Manager Stefan Peeck explains:
"SOLARWATT Manager flex adapts completely to customer needs. For example, charging an EV is possible immediately or in anticipation of a certain departure time. Furthermore, the energy manager can also be controlled to refuel a vehicle when as much solar power as possible is available. In this way, users can ensure that their EV is refueled with up to one hundred percent solar power."
Easy installation
The SOLARWATT Manager flex not only has many advantages for homeowners and businesses with PV systems, installers also benefit from straightforward installation. The energy manager does not have to be installed in the control cabinet and can be installed anywhere in the household, just like a Wi-Fi router. Smart household appliances are integrated into the energy system via Wi-Fi or plug-ins. The SOLARWATT Battery flex battery storage system can also be integrated via SOLARWATT Manager flex using Powerline. Additional wiring is not necessary.
SOLARWATT Manager pro with additional interfaces
With customers’ prior consent, remote maintenance of the entire PV system is possible via the SOLARWATT Manager flex, removing the need for installers to physically be on-site. "They even receive an alarm from the system should anything not be working one hundred percent," says Stefan Peeck. Fine-tuning for the connected wallbox is possible remotely via the installer portal. The energy manager is also available as SOLARWATT Manager pro with additional interfaces, such as being SG ready. This model of the energy manager is mounted directly in the control cabinet.
Solarwatt’s energy manager SOLARWATT Manager flex, employs our new platform generation KiwiOS X for the first time.
Picture: SOLARWATT
Want to learn more about the strengths of KiwiOS X and how it can help you bring your energy products to market faster and more customer-focused than ever? Feel free to contact us.
About Solarwatt
Solarwatt GmbH, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Dresden, Germany, is a European market leader in solar modules and one of the leading suppliers of power storage systems. For 28 years, the Solarwatt brand has stood for premium-quality German production. Solarwatt's vision is to be the lifelong companion for people who want to supply their homes with clean energy. Solarwatt now employs around 600 people worldwide. Further information: www.solarwatt.de
About Kiwigrid
Kiwigrid is the software and IoT company for renewable energy. The KiwiOS platform is used to operate white label products for energy suppliers, the automotive industry and manufacturers of decentralized energy systems. Kiwigrid enables its customers to open up new markets, diversify their offerings and differentiate themselves from the competition. The Dresden-based company was founded in 2011 and currently employs over 150 people. Kiwigrid is a leader for intelligent energy management and works with E.ON, BayWa r.e., LG Electronics among others.