Hot water from photovoltaics with SolBox
Find out whether SolBox suits your installation, what equipment it needs and what it will cost.
I WANT A FREE ESTIMATE30 to 40% of the electricity bill goes on hot water.
An electric water heater runs on mains electricity. A classic solar system with pipework stalls in winter or under cloud. A heat pump is expensive and needs installation.
There is a third way, and it has no pipework.
SolBox in 15 seconds
DC controller
Takes power straight from your PV panels, no inverter needed
Works under cloud too
An MPPT algorithm finds the best yield at any light level
No permits
It is not self-generation. No grid operator, no study, no connection
Hot water all year round
Up to 100% coverage in winter and summer, on any water heater, depending on your panel capacity and your consumption
What exactly you get
The unit is small, it fits next to the water heater and needs no plumbing work at all.
| DC input voltage | up to 210 V |
|---|---|
| Maximum DC current | 20 A |
| Compatible panels | any PV panel 450 to 720 W |
| Number of panels | 2 to 6 |
| Tank capacity | 100 to 500 litres |
| Dimensions | 14.5 × 9.5 × 14.5 cm |
| Weight | 2.5 kg |
| Technology | MPPT P&O, twice per second |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Service life | 25 years |
In the box
The SolBox unit with a pre-fitted output cable, external thermometer, manual, installation template, 2 connectors, 4 screws with wall plugs, power supply and sticker.
You see it and set it from your phone
- Real time monitoringOutput, water temperature and history, from iOS, Android or a desktop.
- 4 daily programmesYou set when you want hot water, plus an annual calendar for holidays and absences.
- Alternative sourceThe SolBox calls a boiler or a buffer tank when the sun is not enough.
- Alerts and anti-freezeSelf diagnosis with fault alerts, and automatic protection below 5 °C.
Why SolBox instead of the other solutions?
A comparison with the 3 most common ways of heating domestic hot water in a Greek home.
| Electric water heater | Classic solar (with pipework) | DHW heat pump | SolBox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running cost per year | €400-700 | ~€50 (backup) | €100-250 | ~€0 |
| Winter operation | ✓ | Freezes / drops off | ✓ | ✓ with MPPT |
| Operation under cloud | ✓ | Low yield | ✓ | ✓ with MPPT |
| Pipework / antifreeze | ✗ | Yes | Yes | ✗ None |
| Installation complexity | Simple | Moderate | High | Simple |
| Annual maintenance | None | Yes (antifreeze / pump) | Yes (technician) | None |
| Payback | — | 4-6 years | 6-10 years | 2-4 years |
| Warranty | 2-5 years | 5 years | 5-10 years | 10 years |
The SolBox price is for the DC controller unit. Panels & and installation are set out in the quote.
Is it for you?
HOMEOWNER
Do you already have PV self-generation, or do you want to add a few panels just for hot water? SolBox can cover up to 100% of your annual water heating, depending on panel capacity, orientation and household consumption.
HOTEL / AIRBNB
High hot water consumption plus a commercial electricity tariff means a heavy running cost. SolBox pays for itself in 2 to 4 years.
OFF-GRID INSTALLATION
A holiday home, a farm or an isolated unit with no grid connection. SolBox works on its own.
Build your own autonomy
Try the SolBox Configurator. You pick the number of panels, the water heater capacity and the location, and you see cost, yield and expected savings in real time.
BUILD YOUR OWN SYSTEM →
Choose your kit
Three ready kits with panels, mounting structure and heating element. For a different number of panels, from 1 to 6, ask for a quote.
Already have panels? See the standalone SolBox unit without panels, or all the frequently asked questions.
Greek. Made in Thessaloniki.
Frequently asked questions
Ask for a free estimate for your SolBox
Leave your details so we can check whether SolBox suits your installation and give you a quote. Free of charge and with no obligation.