PVT for Installers: Heat and Power from One Module.
Easy to Plan. Quick to Install. Legally Straightforward.
Heat Source for Brine Heat Pumps. Entirely Drill-free.
Why PVT Fits Into Your Portfolio
- No deep drilling, no lengthy permits
- No coordination with drilling or civil engineering companies
- Plannable like PV, usable like geothermal energy
- Ideal for new builds and existing buildings
The Easiest Way to Access a Heat Source: What PVT Actually Means for Your Project Execution
What PVT Is – and What It Is Not
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PVT combines a low-temperature heat source with photovoltaics on the same surface area.
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The modules extract heat both from solar radiation and from the ambient air.
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The harvested heat serves as a source for brine-to-water heat pumps, comparable to geothermal systems.
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PVT is no classic solar thermal technology. It provides low-temperature heat.
What this means for your company:
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“The ground collector on the roof” – an alternative to geothermal systems and a power generator in one
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Above-ground, permit-free heat source
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Vandalism-resistant, silent heat source on the roof
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No excavation, no lengthy applications or approval procedures, no subsurface risks
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No waiting times, no dependence on third-party companies with fully booked schedules (e.g. drilling contractors)
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Low maintenance – no issues with overpressure, frozen pipes, or brine degradation
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No additional insulation required
Is PVT Suitable for My Business?
PVT Is Suitable for:
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Businesses focused on heat pumps
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New builds and energy-efficient renovations
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Projects without the possibility or permits for drilling or air-to-water heat pumps
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Projects with limited land area
PVT Is NOT Suitable for:
- Buildings with an existing air-to-water heat pump
- Applications as power only supplier
- Buildings with recently renewed heating systems
- Applications with very high supply temperatures
- Existing buildings lacking roof or façade potential
Heat Sources in Comparison: PVT vs. Geothermal vs. Air-to-water Heat Pump
| Technology | PVT | Geothermal | Air-to-water Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Components | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Efficiency per m² | ✔high | ✔high | ✖low |
| Typical seasonal performance factor (SPF) | ✔4.5 – 6, sometimes higher | ✔4.5 – 6, sometimes higher | ✖< 3.5 |
| Heat pump installation location | indoors | indoors | indoors + outdoor unit |
| Space requirement | ✔low | ✔low | ⚠medium |
| Building cooling | ✔yes | ✔yes | ✔yes |
| Investment costs | ⚠medium | ✖high | ⚠medium |
| Heat pump subsidy eligibility | ✔yes | ✔yes | ⚠depending on noise emissions |
| VAT exemption for PV share | ✔yes | ✔yes | ✔yes |
Experiences with PVT: What Our Partners Say
„We have been installing heat pumps for over 20 years and have tried many different modules. Sunmaxx sets new benchmarks in terms of ease of installation and performance. A top-tier product.“
Patrick Küffner, Managing Director · Kütro GmbH & Co. KG (Abensberg, DE)
“We were speechless. 162 modules connected. No issues with hydraulics or leaks.”
Jörg Lieschke, Master Heating Engineer · SGT GmbH (Berlin, DE)
“Sunmaxx' modules are excellent. Highly efficient operation and very reliable.”
Klaus Binkert, Managing Director · TerraSol AG (Endingen, CH)
“The appearance and quality of the modules are good. I even installed them on my own house. We want to further deepen our cooperation with Sunmaxx.”
Michael Steiner, Managing Director, LP Technica GmbH (Feldkirchen, AT)
"Sunmaxx PVT modules, combined with an Ecoforest heat pump, are almost equivalent to geothermal drilling."
Jürgen Schwittek, Managing Director · EBT Regenerative Haustechnik GmbH (Essen, DE)
What PVT Changes In Your Daily Operations
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Short project timelines, independent of lengthy approval processes
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No planning risks: unaffected by regulations on noise emissions or water protection areas – 0 % rejection rate
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Projects become more predictable thanks to fixed module prices and standardized design procedures → fast quotation preparation
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Installation fully completed in 1–2 working days
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Simple rooftop installation
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Hydraulic components with plastic or stainless steel piping including easy plug-in connector technology: no drilling, no screwing, no additional stripping required
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Suitable for heritage buildings (e.g., slate roofs)
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Applicable for slopes from 0° to 90°, including façade installations
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Design possible even on the north side
How a PVT Project Works
1. Before Order
- Listing as a certified partner in the Sunmaxx partner section
- Direct inquiries from end customers (private home and apartment building projects projects)
- Free project referrals by Sunmaxx
2. Planning & Design
- Design heating load and heat pump as usual
- Determine required PVT area:
- Support and expert assistance from Sunmaxx distributor Wagner Solar for design, procurement, and delivery
3. Installation
- Compatible with all common PV substructures
- Connection of mounting system, piping, and modules using flexible hoses
- Integration into the brine circuit
4. Commissioning
- Familiar processes from heat pump technology
- Low maintenance effort (visual inspection, check for brine pressure drop)
- Optional monitoring available
Why PVT Proves Itself in Everyday Business
Planning
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Clear design
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Fewer external dependencies
Permits & Legal
- Significantly reduced coordination effort
- Lower project risks
Project Execution
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No coordination of excavation or drilling work
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Manageable trades
Economic Efficiency
- Predictable costs
- Easy to explain to clients
The PVT System with Easiest Installation
Key facts:
- Sunmaxx modules are compatible with any mounting type and can be mounted on almost any substructure:
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- Flat roof
- Pitched roof
- Open ground
- Façade
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- Piping in 2 systems available:
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- Stainless steel – mainly for smaller installations such as single-family homes, adapters available
- UV-resistant plastic – for larger installations, easier installation, pre-assembled and available from Sunmaxx distributor Wagner Solar
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- Up to 20 modules can be connected in parallel to a single hydraulic line
PVT Installation Step by Step
- Construct the mounting systems according to corresponding specifications, just like with PV
- Install the hydraulic piping on the substructure and secure it with the supplied clamps
- Once substructure and hydraulics are complete, install the modules – ideally in teams of two: one person holds the module, the other makes the connections
- Connect the standardized MC4 plug on the electrical side by hand
- On the thermal side, connect the supplied hoses: one end to the module, the other to the pipe. No tools required: the hoses click in with a hand-operated connector
- Reliable, leak-proof connection ensured by proven spring mechanism
- After electrical and hydraulic connections, finalize by securing the module frame to mounting system
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How Do I Become a Sunmaxx Partner?
- Contact Sunmaxx – either our headquarters or our sales team.
- We will provide you with information materials and advise you on the next steps.
- You apply for our free training program, either online or on site.
- You receive marketing and information materials for end customers, a product sample, and a package for your website.
- You will be listed as a certified partner and receive direct inquiries via our website.
- In addition, we will forward customer and project inquiries to you free of charge.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Sunmaxx Partner?
- Excellent service and support from our field sales team as well as through our distributor Wagner Solar, including roof planning, material delivery, and on-site logistics. For larger orders, direct delivery by Sunmaxx is also possible.
- Planned: annual event with a get-together and sightseeing in Sunmaxx’s hometown, Dresden.
- Ongoing support from our field sales team.
- Continuous, free forwarding of new customer inquiries.
- Optional participation of our sales team in your events, trade shows, or information evenings.
Typical Questions from the Field
Sunmaxx PVT: Integrated System Compatibility
Various Successful Projects Implemented With:
alpha innotec · Bosch/Buderus · Dimplex · Ecoforest · Heidinger · iDM · M-TEC · NIBE · NOVELAN · OCHSNER · ratiotherm · STIEBEL ELTRON · tecalor · Vailant · Viessmann · WATERKOTTE
Become a Sunmaxx Partner
Expand Your Portfolio and Secure a Unique Selling Point that Pays Off. Contact Us Now.
Michael Gehenzig, Head of Sales
DE North/West · +49 (0)1520 3691677
Sascha Todorovic, Senior Sales Manager
DE South/East · +49 (0)1522 6383293