Naked Energy claim their Virtu collectors have the highest energy density across solar thermal and solar PV panels and can provide up to ten times more carbon savings than traditional PV panels. VirtuMAX is a ground-mounted evacuated tube solar thermal system with integrated reflectors that have been specifically designed for district heating networks and industrial installations. In contrast to traditional solar technologies, that use only 40 percent of the ground area, VirtuMAX uses 85 percent of the ground area.
The VirtuMAX is Naked Energy’s newest addition to its Virtu range, certified by TÜV Rhineland, which also consists of VirtuHOT, which generates clean heat up to 120 °C, and VirtuPVT, which combines PV and solar thermal to generate heat up to 75 °C as well as electricity.
The launch coincides with Naked Energy’s expansion into Germany, one of Europe’s most heat-intensive economies, along with the hire of Nils Lunkenheimer to lead the company's business development in the DACH region. Renewable energy currently meets just 14 percent of heating demand in Germany, highlighting the scale of the opportunity to decarbonise industrial heat.
Naked Energy's technology operates independently of power grids, crucial at a time where Germany's energy suppliers need 68 billion euros in new equity for grid upgrades to meet 2035 targets.
“Heat remains one of the hardest areas to decarbonise across Europe, particularly for industrial businesses” said Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy. “District heating networks are becoming increasingly popular as well, but it's vital that they don't rely entirely on electrification, as the grid upgrades required will be extortionate for taxpayers. VirtuMAX has been developed specifically to address these problems and should mark the end of space-inefficient solar systems. We're also very excited to launch in Germany to help businesses and communities decarbonise without relying on the grid. Expanding into the market is a natural next step in our international growth.”
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