Naked Energy has unveiled a dedicated system design service aimed at assisting businesses in the planning, modelling, and implementation of integrated solar thermal systems. Unlike traditional solar PV panels, solar thermal technology generates renewable heat, providing a more efficient energy solution. Naked Energy’s Virtu collectors, which include the VirtuHOT and VirtuPVT models, are at the forefront of this technology. The VirtuHOT collector can produce clean heat up to 120°C, while the VirtuPVT model combines photovoltaic and solar thermal capabilities, generating both electricity and heat up to 75°C. These products have been awarded the prestigious TÜV Rhineland certification, marking the VirtuPVT as the world’s first evacuated hybrid solar collector to achieve this accolade.
The company has appointed Sam Notter as Principal Design Engineer to lead the new service. Notter, a chartered engineer, brings extensive experience from his tenure at Vital Energi, where he was involved in UK district heating systems and led large-scale decarbonisation projects. His previous roles at Veolia and Engie further bolster his credentials as a systems design expert.
The integration of diverse energy technologies into a single efficient system remains a pressing challenge in the industry. Naked Energy’s design team utilises established industry platforms like Polysun and EnergyPro, alongside a proprietary in-house tool, to simulate heating system interactions and deliver precise performance forecasts. This service is particularly targeted at commercial and industrial businesses with consistent heat demand throughout the year, offering them reliable data to guide their heat decarbonisation strategies.
Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy, emphasised the increasing awareness among businesses regarding the necessity of renewable heating systems. “More businesses have started to understand the need for renewable heating systems over the last few years. However, too many businesses have systems with a mix of different technologies that don’t operate in a concerted way, which leads to underperforming systems,” he stated. Williams highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting businesses in optimising their renewable heating systems, noting Notter’s addition to the team as a testament to their leadership in the UK’s heat decarbonisation efforts.
Sam Notter echoed this sentiment, identifying the harmonisation of various technologies as a core challenge in the industry. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned working across the renewables industry, especially in designing UK heat networks, is that there’s no quick fix to decarbonise heat. The main challenge for the wider industry is to ensure the different technologies at play operate in harmony with each other and increase efficiencies across the board,” Notter said. He expressed enthusiasm for leading the systems design service and working with Naked Energy’s innovative Virtu technology to transform industry perceptions of heat decarbonisation.
Naked Energy’s initiative comes at a time when the demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions is escalating. As businesses increasingly seek to reduce their carbon footprint, the integration of advanced solar thermal systems presents a viable path forward.
