Schüco System: Photovoltaics and Energy Accumulation

The European Union has established a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (Directive 2009/28 / EC of 5 June 2009). Also within this date the reduction in energy consumption of 20% and the coverage of 20% of total energy consumption from renewable sources should be recorded. Also the National Energy Strategy (DL 8 March 2013) confirms this direction, outlining for the year 2020 the goal of 38% of electricity production from renewables.

The building world is therefore moving more and more around the issues of energy self-sufficiency and respect for the environment, aiming to achieve buildings with zero energy balance.

With Schüco, it is possible immediately to have maximum clean energy from your home system, increasing energy self-consumption and therefore saving bills. In fact, the company offers a complete and innovative system that combines the photovoltaic system with thermal storage and electrical storage devices that together significantly increase the energy independence of the home and greatly reduce the operating costs.

The Schüco system is mainly composed of 3 technological systems that can be integrated: the photovoltaic system, the heat pump for domestic hot water and the “intelligent inverter” to which the accumulation batteries are connected. The “system” thus composed is able to produce energy from a renewable source and to store the part not consumed immediately in special batteries to reuse it during the hours of low insolation or at night. Alternatively, the “system” can direct part of the electrical energy produced to an accumulation of water for sanitary use and bring it to a high temperature thus creating a sort of thermal energy reserve, without having used the boiler gas.

Thanks to the “intelligent” connection between the photovoltaic system and the electrical storage, specifically designed to increase self-consumption, priority is given to the instantaneous use (at the time of production) of the energy coming from the photovoltaic system, but in the case of electrical loads not function, the system proceeds to storage and re-use at other times of the day. The system is obviously designed to prevent the current from being released from the batteries into the national electricity grid. The possibility of using mostly the energy produced, but also to dispose of it in a deferred manner, thus greatly reduces the need to resort to the purchase from the external network and therefore the costs of the electricity bill and that of the gas for heating water.

To better understand the advantages of the integrated Schüco “system”, just think that the photovoltaic system alone already achieves a self-consumption percentage of about 30% with prudent management of electrical appliances. If the heat pump for domestic hot water is connected to the photovoltaic system, this value can reach 60%. Finally, the complete system, even with the storage device, allows to reach a percentage of independence from the network, that is, diautoconsumption up to 80%.

The inverter that “dispenses energy between appliances and batteries”, if connected to the Internet, allows you to monitor the entire system and get information on performance, consumption and returns. It also increases the living comfort of the building, being able to also serve as a temporary “back up” and give continuity to the power supply of the house in case of a blackout.

Guaranteed by Schüco, the “system” is designed to adapt to the needs of the family: both the size of the photovoltaic system (from 3 kW to 5 kW), and the number of accumulation batteries may vary according to need. In the same way, heat pumps of different capacities (100 or 300 liters) can be connected, in relation to consumption or the type of existing heating system.

Specifically designed for residential users, it also enjoys a series of incentives provided by the Government to promote the energy redevelopment of homes: in particular, replacing less efficient products with the new heat pump, you can request a 65% tax deduction while photovoltaics benefit from 50% deductions, (both have recently been extended to the Stability Law plant in 2014).

Schüco – Solutions for windows, doors, facades and solar systems. With a network of international partners, architects, planners and investors, Schüco realizes building envelope solutions in harmony with nature, focusing on man and his needs. The company is careful to meet the most stringent design, comfort and safety requirements and to reduce CO2 emissions, thanks to greater energy efficiency of the systems, preserving natural resources. Through its divisions (Building Envelopes and New Energies), the company provides targeted products for new constructions and renovations, able to meet the needs of people, in every part of the world. With over 5,000 employees and 12,000 partner companies, Schüco is present in 78 countries and in 2012 achieved annual sales of 1.8 billion euros.