A solar power diverter is an optional component for a solar PV system which allows you to use the surplus energy from your solar panels to generate hot water.
Also called a solar immersion these boxes make use of the free energy from the sun for your hot water needs rather than relying on a boiler or electricity from the grid.
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What does a Solar Power Diverter do?
A solar power diverter takes any electricity being generated by your solar panels which would otherwise go unused, and redirects that electricity to the immersion element in your hot water tank.
This means that as well as meeting your electricity needs, the power diverter can also help to reduce some of your hot water costs, whether gas, oil, or electricity.
How does a Power Diverter work?
A power diverter should constantly monitor the level of power being generated by the solar PV array it’s connected to, as well as the level of power being consumed in the home.
It detects this by using Current Transformer CT clamps attached to the inverter for the solar PV supply and the mains supply for detecting exported power. These clamps can either by wired to the diverter or send their signal via a wifi connection.
When it detects a surplus, the amount of power being produced by the solar panels is greater than what is being consumed, it redirects the excess to the immersion system rather than it being sent back to the grid.
The Most Popular Power Diverters
The most common solar power diverter offered by installers in Ireland is the Myenergi Eddi with its combination of powerful features and affordability.
The Myenergi Eddi comes with multiple operating modes to wait for a solar surplus, or boosting to prioritise heating water now even if it means using grid power.
How much does a Power Diverter Cost
A solar power diverter will typically cost in the region of €450 to €650 depending on the make and installation costs.
Is my home suitable for a Power Diverter?
A power diverter fundamentally needs a microgeneration system such as solar panels or a wind turbine to function. Without those already in place, there’s no power to divert.
The diverter also won’t work if there’s no immersion system to work with. If your hot water tank has no immersion, or if you have a combi boiler with no tank at all, then it doesn’t work.
An immersion diverter can work in conjunction with an EV charger or solar battery. However, they will likely be competing for the same surplus power, so there is little to be gained by installing all of them.
What are the alternatives to a Power Diverter?
There are two main alternatives for how to use the excess electricity created by their solar panels, feed-in tariffs or a solar battery.
Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of upfront costs and expected returns in the long run compared to each other, and to a power diverter.
Feed-in Tariffs
A Feed-in Tariff is the name usually given to the price your utility company will pay for any surplus electricity which is exported to the grid.
Unused power is sent back to the grid and the user is paid a fixed price per kWh, just as they are charged for imported electricity.
Solar Batteries
A solar battery is simply a large scale battery, usually starting at around 5kWh in capacity but able to scale up, which is installed in your home. This stores excess electricity so that it can be used at night when solar panels are not productive.
Is a Power Diverter worth it?
That will depend on the size of your solar PV system, your energy usage patterns, and if there are any other power hogging devices connected to your solar PV system.
If you have a small solar PV system which is not generating much in the way of excess electricity, or if you use almost all of the electricity being generated, then it is unlikely to be worth the cost of getting one installed.
If you are with an electricity provider offering a feed-in tariff then you should look at what they are paying for excess electricity vs what you are saving on hot water bills.
There is also the fact that with a 3-year warranty, there is a good chance that you may have to replace the diverter at least once, adding to the overall cost.
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