Hot water preparation using surplus PV power – without fossil fuels Do you have a photovoltaic system and want to use your self-generated electricity even more efficiently? The my-PV 9 kW screw-in heating element converts excess solar power into hot water. This works in both fresh water storage tanks and buffer tanks for your heating system. Unlike feeding electricity into the grid, which now only receives minimal compensation, you use your PV electricity directly on site. This increases your self-consumption and simultaneously reduces the costs of gas or oil for hot water preparation. The heating element works exclusively with the my-PV AC THOR 9s power manager. This power manager continuously measures the available surplus energy from your PV system and continuously adjusts the heating output between 0 and 9.000 watts. This ensures no energy is wasted. Why the my-PV 9 kW screw-in radiator is the right choice Stepless adjustment to your PV yield Conventional heating elements often operate at fixed power levels. In contrast, the my-PV screw-in heating element is regulated by the AC THOR 9s with second-by-second precision. For example, if your PV system is generating 4.500 watts of excess power, the heating element operates at precisely this output. If the excess drops to 2.000 watts, the heating power adjusts automatically. This avoids drawing power from the grid and maximizes the use of your solar energy. Also suitable for large storage capacities With a power output of 9.000 watts, the heating element can efficiently charge even larger buffer storage tanks. For example, a 1.000-liter tank can be heated in approximately 5 to 6 hours at full power and a temperature difference of 40 degrees Celsius. With larger PV systems that regularly generate excess power, this is easily achievable on many days from spring to autumn. The AC THOR 9s can control up to three heating elements sequentially. This allows you to combine multiple screw-in heating elements to charge large storage tanks faster or to supply different storage tanks separately. Designed for long service life The heating elements in the screw-in heating element are designed to keep the thermal surface load low. This reduces material wear and extends the heating element's lifespan. However, for water hardness levels above 7 °dH, the manufacturer recommends regular maintenance or the use of a water softener, as limescale deposits can impair efficiency. Damage caused by limescale is excluded from the warranty. This is how the 9 kW screw-in heating element works in practice. Installation in existing storage The heating element has a 1 1/2 inch thread, which is standard on most hot water and buffer storage tanks. It is installed horizontally. You need a clearance of the installation length plus 150 mm in front of the mounting flange for installation and maintenance. The unheated zone is 130 mm from the sealing surface – ensure your storage tank flange is not longer than this. The connection is made via a three-phase power supply (3 x 230 V). The connection cable is fed into the connection compartment of the heating element using the supplied cable gland. Ensure the cable is adequately sized and be sure to connect the protective earth conductor. Temperature control in everyday life You can set a target temperature between 34 and 78 °C using the rotary knob on the heating element itself. Once this temperature is reached, the integrated bimetallic thermostat switches off. The AC THOR 9s detects this shutdown and switches to standby mode. Technical details and application possibilities What can you do with the 9 kW screw-in heating element? The heating element is suitable for various applications: Hot water preparation in a single-family homeEspecially from spring to autumn, the hot water demand can often be completely covered by excess PV power. Buffer storage tanks for heating systemsYou can temporarily store excess solar energy in your buffer storage tank and use it later for space heating. Support for existing heating systemsDuring the transitional seasons, the heating element relieves the strain on your gas or oil heating system. On sunny days, the fossil fuel burner remains off. Combination with solar thermal energyIf you already have a solar thermal system, the heating element can serve as a supplement when the sun is insufficient. Recommended accessories: my-PV AC THOR 9s Power Manager (absolutely essential for operation) my-PV temperature sensor (additional sensors for precise temperature measurement) System openness and integration The AC THOR 9s, which controls the heating element, can communicate with various energy management systems. The system can be integrated into smart home solutions via RJ45 or RS485. Visualization within the energy management system is also possible. The AC THOR 9s also works with compatible battery storage systems. You can set the priority between battery storage and thermal storage. For example, you can charge the battery first and only then use the remaining excess energy for hot water – or vice versa. Compatible manufacturers can be found here. Technical information Maximum power: 9.000 W Heating capacity:0 – 9.000 W when controlled by AC•THOR 9s Mains connection: 3-phase, 3 x 230 V, 50 Hz Connection cable: - operating temperature rangeThe ambient temperature at the housing must not exceed 35 °C. Protection class: IP45K Dimensions (W x H x D): 88 x 88 x 873 mm Weight 2 kg Heating cartridge connection: 1 1/2 inches Heat-free zone: 130 mm from the sealing surface Warranty: 2 years (excluding calcification) Tightening torque: 60 Nm Max. operating pressure: 10 bar Safety temperature limiter: 98 ° C Version without thermostat: 105 ° C Installation position: horizontal Target temperature range: approx. 34 – 78 °C Version without thermostat: according to AC•THOR setting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Will the heating element also work without the AC THOR 9s? No, the my-PV 9 kW screw-in heating element was designed exclusively for use with the AC THOR 9s. The three-phase connection and stepless control from 0 to 9.000 watts require control by the AC THOR 9s. The heating element cannot be operated without this power manager. Will the heating element fit in my existing storage tank? The screw-in heating element has a 1 1/2 inch thread, which is standard on most hot water and buffer storage tanks. The maximum immersion depth is 745 mm, and the unheated zone is 130 mm from the sealing surface. Before purchasing, check whether your storage tank has a suitable flange and whether the installation length is sufficient. The heating element must be installed horizontally. How does the heating element behave with hard water? For water hardness levels above 7 °dH, my-PV recommends regular maintenance or measures to reduce the limescale content. Limescale deposits can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of the appliance. The manufacturer's warranty explicitly excludes damage caused by limescale. Setting the temperature below 60 °C slows down limescale formation. Can I operate multiple heating elements simultaneously? Yes, the AC THOR 9s can control up to three heating elements sequentially. This means you can combine three my-PV 3 kW screw-in heating elements or one 9 kW heating element with two 3 kW elements. This is particularly useful with large buffer tanks to provide hot water more quickly. The AC THOR 9s regulates the elements individually or in combination, depending on the available excess power. What happens if my PV system doesn't produce enough surplus energy? The AC THOR 9s continuously measures the excess power from your PV system. If this is insufficient to operate the heating element, it remains in standby mode. Alternatively, you can set up a hot water backup: In this case, the AC THOR 9s draws power from the grid as needed to ensure the desired minimum temperature. This function is optional and can be configured on the device. How long does the heating element last? The special design with low thermal surface stress contributes to a long service life. The manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty (excluding limescale buildup). In practice, users report operating times of several years, provided the maintenance recommendations for hard water are followed. Is installation by a professional required? The electrical connection (3 x 230 V) must be carried out by a qualified electrician in accordance with applicable regulations. Mechanical installation in the storage tank requires skilled workmanship, but can be done yourself with the appropriate tools if a flange is present. Ensure the specified tightening torque of 60 Nm is observed and use the supplied flat gasket. What storage tank size is suitable for the 9 kW heating element? The manufacturer specifies a minimum capacity of 200 liters. There is practically no upper limit. The 9 kW heating element is particularly suitable for larger storage tanks of 500 liters and above. For smaller tanks, the 3 kW version is often sufficient. The decisive factor is the ratio between your typical PV surplus and your heating demand. Downloads Downloads my-PV heating element 9 kW for AC-THOR My-PV-Heizstab-9-kW-Datenblatt My-PV Heating Element 9-kW Operating Instructions Summary The my-PV 9 kW screw-in radiator is the right solution for you if you: Have a PV system with a regular surplus and want to use it effectively Are you using or would you like to use the AC THOR 9s from my-PV? Want to achieve hot water or heating support with self-generated electricity If you want to increase your self-consumption and save on fossil fuels at the same time A storage tank with a volume of 200 liters or more and a 1 1/2 inch connection Use your solar power efficiently – with the my-PV screw-in heating element 9 kW and the AC THOR 9s from PVundSO.
