The company Schüco introduced award-winning designs in the field of photovoltaics and solar thermal energy for the year 2011

The presentation, which took place with the participation of Schüco sales representatives, Mr. Martin Hák, Josef Svoboda, and Vilém Měrka, director of the Schüco Solar division for the Czech Republic, was led by experts from technical support Mr. Martin Grygar and Petr Kunc. “The new MSE 100 east/west mounting system, designed for the installation of thin-film amorphous and micromorph panels on flat roofs, offers the advantage of easy installation at an angle of 10° using only 4 mounting components and without the need for additional anchoring, thus eliminating the risk of water leakage into the roof,” outlines one of the innovations Petr Kunc from the technical division of Schüco Solar Czech Republic.

The advantage of thin-film modules lies not only in better performance but also in greater freedom during installation, as amorphous panels do not require the recommended slope of 40° or direct sunlight from the south. These properties were also utilized in the development of ProSol TF thin-film panels, intended for cold and warm facade structures. Compared to original photovoltaic systems based on crystalline technology, ProSol TF amorphous panels offer excellent consistent performance throughout the year, even in diffuse light (during cloudiness and dusk), impacting the vertical plane of facades or the sloping plane of roof skylights and glazed atriums oriented in all cardinal directions. Additional advantages include a unique natural appearance, homogeneous structure, various shapes and sizes of glass, and different levels of transparency. The panels will find their use in industrial buildings, public and residential properties.

The new hydraulic module also sparked a stimulating discussion. The hydraulic module, one of the main elements of the comprehensive solar-regenerative heating system from Schüco, is compatible with condensing boilers, heat pumps, solar systems, and other heat sources. This is facilitated by the built-in interactive control unit ITE (Intelligent Thermal Energy), which is equipped with sophisticated software and offers advantages in terms of quicker commissioning of the heating system by the installation company and easier operation for the end user. “The hydraulic module can be used in individually configured systems in both new and existing family housing. Its significant advantage is the ability to control individual sources according to the heating needs of the building without the need to change the heating system,” adds Petr Kunc.

Selection of innovations presented at the ISH fair in Frankfurt am Main and awarded the "Design Plus powered by ISH" prize

1. Modular and solar-regenerative heating system from Schüco
The solar-regenerative heating system from Schüco is the very first heating system that combines solar thermal energy with heat pumps and condensing technology. It consists of five main components: solar thermal collectors, a combined thermal storage tank, a new air/water heat pump with a split unit, a gas condensing boiler, and a hydraulic module, which represents the heart of the entire system. Due to the compatibility of the new hydraulic module with other products and various heat sources, it can be utilized in several differently configured systems (depending on the specific conditions of the household), meant for both existing buildings and new family housing. The main advantages of the system include: high flexibility in use according to individual household requirements and efficient performance with optimal use of solar energy and low operating costs.

2. ITE (Intelligent Thermal Energy) control units
The product portfolio of the solar-regenerative heating system closely follows the new generation of control/regulation units ITE (Intelligent Thermal Energy) with a comprehensive control system and control panel. The strength of Schüco ITE control units lies primarily in their ease of use for both installation companies and end users. This is aided by a color LCD display with graphs and indicators. The interactive control panel is equipped with software with a simple text menu and assistance during the start-up of the system as well as subsequent operation. The control system can be managed via the internet through PCs and smartphones. The ITE control units thus provide a unified operating and control concept with a range of functions for managing the entire product portfolio of the solar-regenerative heating system. The central ITE control panel is primarily operated on the hydraulic module into which it is integrated, and operational values/modes can be adjusted and the entire system managed via a portable control unit within the building.

3. MSE 100 east/west mounting system for flat roofs
Progress and continuous improvement were also demonstrated by Schüco in the area of photovoltaic systems. Success arises from the thin-film technology of photovoltaic panels, primarily based on amorphous and micromorph technologies. The advantage of thin-film modules lies not only in better performance but also in greater freedom during installation since amorphous panels do not require the recommended slope of 40° or direct sunlight from the south. Thanks to the new Schüco MSE 100 east/west mounting system, they can be optimally utilized on flat roof areas. The system allows for the installation of photovoltaic modules on roofs with a slope of 10° without the need for additional anchoring, making it unique in the market. Another advantage of the system is easy installation using only four different mounting components. You can view a demonstration of the installation here.

> More information can be found at www.schueco.cz