Joint PVT collector production line by AKG and Consolar inaugurated in Hofgeismar – First production line to manufacture 65,000 collectors annually.

Hofgeismar, December 4, 2024 – The AKG Group, a global leader in thermal management and industrial manufacturing, has partnered with Consolar Solare Energiesysteme GmbH, an expert in high-efficiency solar technology based in Frankfurt and Lörrach. Today, the two companies officially inaugurated a new industrial production line for Consolar's patented SOLINK PVT heat pump collectors at AKG’s headquarters in Hofgeismar, near Kassel.

Over the past months, AKG has established the infrastructure necessary for this state-of-the-art production line. “Today’s inauguration marks the official launch of our joint production and allows us to see the results of our preparatory work in the finished SOLINK PVT heat pump collectors,” said Kariem Jaber, Vice President of Sales & Project Management at AKG. “This production line underscores our shared commitment to sustainable solutions in renewable energy.”

Optimized Production Process

Until now, the final assembly of the SOLINK PVT heat pump collectors was carried out in the Netherlands by a contract manufacturer. From now on, up to 65,000 of these patented collectors—protected across three continents—will be produced annually at the Hofgeismar facility in the initial phase of production. Plans for additional production lines are already in place.

In a semi-automated production process, PV modules and air-to-brine heat exchangers are bonded into a functional unit using specialized adhesive technology. “AKG’s decades of experience in thermal management and bonding techniques enabled us to further optimize the production process,” explained Dr. Ulrich Leibfried, Managing Director of Consolar and Head of Research & Development. “Relocating production to Hofgeismar is a critical step in scaling our technology to an industrial level. Even with the anticipated significant increase in production volumes, we can maintain very high quality standards.”

Leibfried emphasized that, especially in times of uncertainty surrounding future heating technologies, this move sends a strong signal for climate protection technology "Made in Germany." He added, “The SOLINK technology has the potential to be a game-changer for clean and affordable heat supply, completely independent of fossil fuels.”

Silent Solar Power and Heat for Heat Pumps

The SOLINK PVT air-to-brine collector was specifically designed as an energy source for heat pumps, combining proven photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal (T) technologies with a novel air-to-brine heat exchanger. The collectors generate solar power on their upper side while simultaneously harvesting ambient air heat and waste heat from the modules on their underside. This process works even at night or in cloudy conditions.

Thanks to the patented design of the heat exchanger and its large surface area, this new collector generation can serve as the sole heat source without requiring geothermal probes or other ground-related installations. This creates new applications, especially in urban environments. Unlike air-source heat pumps, SOLINK collectors do not require outdoor fan units, eliminating noise and space requirements typically associated with such systems.

“With our SOLINK heat pump collectors, we offer a key technology for decarbonizing cities and municipalities in both new and existing buildings,” said Andreas Siegemund, Managing Director of Consolar. “High quality standards and scalable production capacities are essential for our partnerships with municipal utilities, housing associations, and heating and heat pump manufacturers. We’re pleased that AKG ensures this and, with its international presence, provides excellent access to global markets.”

Award-Winning Emerging Technology

More than 30,000 SOLINK collectors are already in use across Europe, installed in over 5,000 systems. Applications range from single-family homes to multi-family buildings, commercial facilities, and office buildings in both new and retrofit projects. SOLINK was awarded the Environmental Technology Prize of Baden-Württemberg in 2017 and was a finalist for the Hessian State Prize for Innovative Energy Solutions in 2022.

At the inauguration, Dr. Arnd Klein-Zirbes, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Kassel-Marburg, highlighted the importance of the event: “Launching the next generation of solar technology in Hofgeismar and within the Kassel-Marburg region is the right signal at the right time. This demonstrates how innovative companies like AKG and Consolar continue to pursue future innovations and open up new business opportunities, even in challenging economic conditions. AKG’s commitment to the local site exemplifies ‘Made in Germany.’”

Subsidized Transition to Renewable Energy

The investment costs for a PVT heat pump system are comparable to—or even lower than—those of a heat pump system with geothermal probes and an equivalent PV array. Additionally, the operational costs of the heat pump are reduced by 20–50% compared to air-source heat pumps due to its efficient operation. Similar to brine-to-water heat pumps combined with PV, Consolar’s SOLINK heat pump system is eligible for up to 70% subsidies and, like standalone PV systems, often qualifies for a zero VAT rate.

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