SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA

Latest-generation thermodynamic solar technology

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA is a premium thermodynamic solar heat pump designed to provide heating, cooling and domestic hot water from one compact system.

Built to demanding quality standards, it combines high performance with simple installation and a small indoor footprint. The indoor unit requires less than one square metre of floor space, making the system suitable for modern homes where plant-room space may be limited.

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA uses environmental energy collected from solar radiation, wind, rain and the surrounding air, helping reduce dependence on conventional heating equipment.

One system for year-round comfort

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA can bring several household comfort requirements together within a single installation.

Depending on the system design, it can provide:

• Central heating
• Underfloor heating
• Fan-coil heating
• Cooling
• Domestic hot-water production
• Heat-recovery hot water
• Year-round renewable-energy use

Combining these functions can reduce the need for multiple independent appliances and simplify the property’s overall energy system.

Domestic hot water up to 70°C

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA can produce domestic hot water at temperatures of up to 70°C in heat-pump mode by recovering heat from the system.

Heat recovery allows energy generated during normal operation to be used for water heating rather than being wasted. This can further improve overall system efficiency and reduce domestic hot-water costs.

The precise temperature and available recovery capacity will depend on the installation, operating mode and system configuration.

Solar performance

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA has been tested according to demanding European standards and achieved a coefficient of performance of 3.8 under EN 16147 test conditions.

Testing was conducted without assistance from solar irradiation, wind or rain. In real-world conditions, environmental heat collected by the thermodynamic panel can provide additional support to system performance.

The actual efficiency of any installation will depend on factors including outdoor conditions, operating temperatures, building heat loss and system design.

Compact indoor installation

The indoor unit has been engineered to occupy less than one square metre, helping it fit into compact plant rooms and utility areas.

Its integrated design reduces the number of separate external components required and supports a comparatively straightforward installation.

Key installation advantages include:

• Indoor footprint below 1 m²
• Integrated hydraulic components
• Integrated system controls
• Plug-and-use installation concept
• Maximum indoor-to-outdoor separation of up to 20 metres
• Suitable for new-build and refurbishment projects

Final positioning and pipe routes should always be confirmed by the system designer and installer.

Flexible panel positioning

The indoor unit and thermodynamic solar panel can be separated by up to 20 metres, providing useful flexibility when planning the installation.

The panel can be positioned horizontally on a suitable roof, wall, flat roof or supporting structure. Its lightweight, unglazed construction allows it to be integrated without the weight and fragility associated with conventional glazed solar collectors.

For optimum performance in the northern hemisphere, the panel should normally face south, east or west and be installed in landscape orientation.

Solid and robust panel construction

The thermodynamic solar panel is manufactured from anodised aluminium and protected with a specialist corrosion-resistant finish.

This construction helps the panel withstand exposure to saline or otherwise aggressive environments. It also allows the manufacturer to provide a ten-year warranty against panel corrosion.

Panel advantages include:

• Anodised aluminium construction
• No fragile glazing
• Resistant to corrosion
• No routine cleaning required
• No overheating problems
• No conventional defrost cycle
• Flexible installation locations
• Ten-year corrosion warranty

Heating

During colder periods, SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA can supply energy to a compatible central-heating system.

It can be integrated with underfloor heating, appropriately designed radiators or fan coils, subject to the required operating temperatures and professional system design.

Using environmental heat rather than direct electric resistance or combustion can reduce heating energy consumption and associated carbon emissions.

Cooling

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA can also support cooling through compatible indoor distribution equipment.

This allows the same core system to provide comfort across both heating and cooling seasons. Suitable emitters, condensate management and hydraulic controls must form part of the installation design.

Heat recovery

Heat-recovery technology allows energy generated during cooling or other system operation to be redirected towards domestic hot-water production.

This improves the use of energy already moving through the system and can provide particularly efficient hot-water production during periods when cooling is required.

Benefits can include:

• Reduced wasted heat
• Lower hot-water energy consumption
• Domestic hot water up to 70°C
• Improved combined-system efficiency
• Better year-round return on investment

Simple system management

The system incorporates controls for managing its principal heating, cooling and hot-water functions.

An integrated control approach helps coordinate operating modes and prioritise demand. The final control configuration will depend on the connected heating emitters, hot-water storage and any additional system components.

Low-maintenance operation

The thermodynamic solar panel contains no fans, pumps or other moving components. Its unglazed construction removes the risk of broken collector glass and avoids regular cleaning requirements.

The sealed refrigerant circuit is designed for long-term operation with minimal routine attention. Scheduled servicing should nevertheless be completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Designed for efficient homes

SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA is especially well suited to projects seeking a single renewable system for heating, cooling and domestic hot water.

Potential applications include:

• New-build homes
• Low-energy properties
• Major refurbishments
• Homes replacing fossil-fuel boilers
• Properties with underfloor heating
• Homes requiring both heating and cooling
• Projects with restricted plant-room space

Professional system design

Performance depends upon correct system selection and installation.

Before specifying SOLAR BLOCK ULTRA, a professional assessment should consider:

• Building heat-loss calculations
• Required heating and cooling capacity
• Domestic hot-water demand
• Heating-system operating temperatures
• Indoor-unit location
• Solar-panel location and orientation
• Pipe route and separation distance
• Electrical requirements
• Heat-recovery opportunities

This ensures that the installed system is correctly sized and configured for the property.