Solar Collectors designed with efficiency and effectiveness in mind.
Virtu is the next generation in solar thermal technology. It’s a solar thermal collector that heats water from the power of the sun (solar energy) to up to 120°C.
Solar thermal can decarbonise global heat demand across a number of sectors, from solar water heating systems for manufacturing to hotels and leisure centres. By using Virtu, customers can reduce their dependency on fossil fuels, maximise their use of solar energy and future-proof hot water supply.
The core design of VirtuHOT solar water heating systems has benefited from multiple workshops with experienced and qualified installers, whose valuable insights have been integrated into design to ensure that Virtu outperforms traditional flat plate collectors and traditional solar panels.
The focus groups also created innovation in transportation, solar panel installation, and maintenance. From Virtu's low-profile design to the modular assembly, our innovation keeps life simple for installers and maintenance teams.
Virtu products are easy to install and fully modular to cater for all hot water requirements, mounted on frames in sets of five evacuated tube collectors. Reflectors are positioned between the tube collectors to maximise energy capture even during winter months. We use the highest energy density solar collectors available globally, designed to optimise outputs and deliver maximum energy with limited installation space.
✓ 100% zero carbon energy
✓ Up to 4x carbon savings compared to solar PV panels
✓ Strong brand value and enhanced ESG performance
✓ Improved building ratings
✓ Increased financial returns
✓ Energy independence from volatile fossil fuel prices
✓ Reduced development and project and initial costs
Solar Water Heating Systems - Hybrid Solar Heating Systems
Virtu is a complementary technology. Like all solar thermal technologies, it can be easily combined with existing heating technology, such as heat pumps. This integration is most efficient when Virtu pre-heats the system, which is then topped-up and maintained by the backup heat source. It contributes to the decarbonisation of heat and utilises existing high-efficiency heat generation assets. As a roadmap technology, Virtu enables the energy transition to low-carbon heat through distributed, renewable, zero-carbon energy generation.
Virtu can lower your energy bills of heat and carbon emissions when integrated with:
✓ Air source and ground-source heat pumps
✓ Conventional water heaters
✓ Electric heating
✓ LPG and other fuels
✓ Biofuels
✓ Hydrogen
✓ Combi boiler backup heating
✓ Unvented hot water tanks
Benefits of an integrated approach:
✓ Reduced operational cost of heat pump through offsetting energy demand
✓ Self-sufficient, secure, free, zero-carbon energy
✓ Reduced reliance on the electricity grid
What is unique virtuHOT about and Rinnai products?
Saves more carbon
Virtu saves up to 3.5x more carbon per m2 compared to conventional solar panels. This combined with the Rinnai water heating system will save carbon created through traditional storage-based systems, mainly due to heat loss and over-sizing.
Rinnai water heaters will modulate to 4.4kW therefore only using gas to boost the temperature. This ensures that the pre-heated water from the solar thermal system can maximise the renewable gains, as gas or electricity will only be used to boost the hot water temperature.
Rinnai combine the solar thermal technology with bespoke hot water cylinders, immersion heaters, and electrical or gas heaters if required to achieve our goal of simplifying the specification and installation process for professional installers.
Greater returns with Virtu solar thermal systems
Virtu delivers up to 50% greater financial returns per m2 in comparison to conventional solar panels. Rinnai intelligent hot water systems can save more than 30% in operational running costs when compared to conventional water heaters or storage hot water tanks.
Reduces risk
Virtu reduced carbon footprint and protects customers from energy bills and exposure to ever-increasing energy and climate change legislation.
Rinnai only uses the gas needed to boost the water temperature and all water heaters are hydrogen blend ready 20% and Bio LPG ready - creating a perfect combination for any hot water requirement.
As Rinnai provide optimised hot water cylinders, solar collectors and auxiliary heaters for multiple sources of energy, the design risk is also reduced due to our expert sizing support.
Lower installation cost, running costs and maintenance costs with Virtu and Rinnai Hybrid hot water heating systems
A design-led architecture and turnkey solution makes Virtu solar thermal collectors easy to install and keeps maintenance to a minimum; backed by a warranty of up to 10 years.
The Virtu solar collectors can be mounted on a flat roof, if roof space is limited they can be mounted in a vertical arrangement. As with many traditional solar systems such as solar panels, flat plate collectors and traditional solar systems, a south facing roof is beneficial. However the innovative reflectors and mounting flexibility of the Virtu give unrivalled installation opportunities.
Rinnai water heaters come with a warranty of up to 10 years, are lightweight (one-man lift), can be cited internally or externally, and have a compact design (670x470x276mm).
We have created a low maintenance, high performance system that lowers carbon footprint without compromising performance.
The Virtu and Rinnai Hybrid solar thermal system provides a reliable source of heat for potable water systems. This is backed with design support to model annual savings, carbon footprint, initial costs and operational costs so that you can make an informed choice. For more details contact us today.
To find out more about the Rinnai water heating range and other renewable energy technology, visit Hybrid Hot Water, Heat Pump Heating, Hydrogen Hot Water Systems.
