This makes VirtuPVT the first evacuated hybrid solar collector to receive this prestigious recognition, cementing its status as a leading product in the solar industry.
Rigorous testing for top performance
TÜV Rheinland, renowned for its testing and certification expertise across multiple industries, subjected VirtuPVT to extensive testing.
The technology demonstrated its ability to withstand extreme temperature ranges from -40°C to 240°C and endure severe weather conditions such as hailstorms, frost, heavy rain, and even fire—all while maintaining peak performance.
VirtuPVT is a hybrid solar collector combining solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technology to generate electricity and heat. It is three times more efficient than traditional PV panels and delivers up to four times the carbon savings.
Its innovative design includes an integrated reflector to enhance performance, delivering higher temperature outputs of up to 75°C for hot water and process heat, even in colder climates.
Driving decarbonisation
Already used in iconic locations such as The British Library and Swansea’s Active Office, VirtuPVT is part of Naked Energy’s mission to decarbonise heat and reduce carbon emissions. Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy, highlighted the significance of this achievement:
“TÜV Rheinland has been recognised as the leading body for certification for businesses across a huge number of sectors for a long time. To know that our product has been certified as the cream of the crop when it comes to the solar industry is incredibly rewarding and satisfying.
“Hardware takes a long time and a lot of money to get right, and it’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, and I’m incredibly proud of the Naked Energy team for developing our industry-leading tech.
“We cannot achieve net zero without decarbonising heat, and we cannot do that through electrification and software solutions alone.
“Our grid doesn’t have the capacity to carry us to net zero on its own any time soon, so we need more innovative hardware solutions like VirtuPVT that decarbonise heat at the point of use.
“TÜV certification goes a long way in assuring the industry that this tech is of the highest quality, which will provide a further incentive for businesses in the commercial and industrial sectors to decarbonise their heat demand.”
A successful year for Naked Energy
This milestone follows a series of successes for Naked Energy, including a partnership with ELM Solar to manufacture its technology in the United States and raising £17 million in Series B funding, led by E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions and Barclays.
The funding supports the global expansion of VirtuPVT, offering its benefits to more businesses in the commercial and industrial sectors.
Image: Naked Energy