Naked Energy has introduced a new operations and maintenance service designed to significantly improve the performance of solar thermal systems. Unlike conventional solar PV panels, which produce electricity, solar thermal technology generates renewable heat. Naked Energy’s Virtu collectors are reported to be up to ten times more efficient than traditional PV panels.
The VirtuHOT collectors produce clean heat reaching temperatures of up to 120 °C, while the VirtuPVT collectors integrate both PV and solar thermal capabilities, generating electricity and heat up to 75 °C. Notably, the VirtuPVT is the first evacuated hybrid solar collector to achieve TÜV certification, marking a pivotal advancement in solar technology.
The service, already deployed across ten projects, is expected to boost performance by up to 30%. Central to this service is Clarity 24-7, Naked Energy’s proprietary real-time monitoring platform. It stands as the sole software of its kind within the solar thermal industry, providing continuous oversight of energy generation. This platform enables the operations team to preemptively identify and resolve potential issues.
Employing Google Big Query and Open Meteo data, Clarity 24-7 evaluates system performance against ambient temperature and environmental conditions. This analysis supports historical trend assessment and facilitates accurate future performance predictions for solar thermal systems. Furthermore, the platform extends its monitoring capabilities to other heating technologies, such as heat pumps.
The launch of Naked Energy’s O&M service is timely, as the sector grapples with inefficiencies in renewable projects. In the broader solar industry, underperforming solar PV systems have resulted in an estimated USD$4.6 billion in preventable losses in 2023. This challenge is particularly acute in the decarbonisation of heat, which accounts for 70% of the UK’s industrial energy demand. Enhancing the efficiency of renewable heat technologies is crucial for industry-wide decarbonisation efforts.
Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy, stated, “Heat decarbonisation is one of the biggest challenges of our time, but it has to be as dependable and efficient as possible. We’re incredibly proud of the Clarity 24-7 platform, the first of its kind in our industry, and how easy the platform makes it to help every installed system deliver the thermal output it was designed for.”
Jonny Williams, Head of Operations & Maintenance, Naked Energy, added, “The industry has a real problem with underperformance, especially that which can be easily avoided. With good data and disciplined maintenance, we can generate a higher and more consistent heat output with fewer call-outs. At a time where renewable energy reliability is being called into question, the importance of services like this can’t be overstated. The platform also gives clients access to see exactly how much energy their projects are generating, giving them clarity on energy consumption and security that they’re getting as much value as possible.”
Naked Energy’s Virtu product range has been sold in over 20 countries and has established a strong presence in the UK and Europe’s commercial and industrial sectors. Notable clients include the British Library and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. For further details, visit Naked Energy’s website.
