The Perfect Load for Your Solar Customers

A 400 W rooftop solar panel produces approximately 400 Wh per hour in good Swiss sunlight conditions. A SunWave Ceramica draws exactly 650 W. That means two solar panels fully power one heating panel — and in a typical 80 m² apartment requiring three panels, a 6 kWp rooftop installation (common for Swiss residential) produces more than enough energy to run the heating system during solar hours.

The thermal mass advantage

Unlike battery storage, thermal mass is free. When a SunWave Ceramica runs during peak solar generation (11:00–15:00), it heats walls, floors, and furniture — not just air. That stored warmth radiates back into the room for hours after the panel is switched off. A 2-hour solar heating session can maintain comfortable temperatures for 4–6 hours in a well-insulated space.

This means solar customers don't need expensive battery systems to get overnight warmth from daytime solar generation — the thermal mass does it for free.

Eliminating gas boiler at end-of-life (MuKEn)

Switzerland's MuKEn 2014 regulations require that gas and oil boilers be replaced with renewable alternatives when they reach end-of-life. With 12 cantons already enforcing this rule, your solar customers with ageing boilers face a mandatory heating replacement within the next 5–10 years. A solar + infrared package solves both problems in a single installation visit.

What your clients get

• 100% renewable heating when solar is producing
• Zero gas boiler maintenance costs — no annual service required
• Elimination of gas connection fees and tariffs
• MuKEn compliance for end-of-life boiler replacement
• Future-proofed against rising gas prices
• One supplier for both generation and heating

Load profile and sizing

Each SunWave Ceramica draws 650 W at 230 V AC (3.04 A). Panels are resistive loads — power factor is 1.0. There is no startup surge. For circuit sizing, treat each panel as a continuous 650 W load and size the circuit cable and breaker accordingly (typically 10 A breaker for 1–2 panels).

Thermostat integration for solar optimisation

For solar-optimised operation, install a smart thermostat with schedule and cloud connectivity. Programme the thermostat to pre-heat during the solar generation window (typically 10:00–16:00 in Switzerland). Set a higher setpoint during solar hours and a lower setpoint (or off) during evening grid-import hours. This maximises the thermal mass benefit and minimises grid consumption.

A full smart home integration with a solar inverter API (SMA, Fronius, SolarEdge all have open APIs) can automate this completely — turning panels on when solar export exceeds a threshold and off when generation drops below consumption.

Circuit requirements

• 230 V AC single-phase — standard Swiss supply
• Class II (no earth required) — but earth connection is permitted
• Standard T13 plug (plug-in) or hardwired to fused spur
• No special cabling beyond normal lighting/socket cable (if ≤2 panels per circuit)
• Minimum 3-core 1.5 mm² cable for runs up to 20 m

Installation time

A trained installer can mount and wire a single panel in approximately 45–60 minutes, including wall anchoring, cable dressing, and thermostat wiring. A 3-panel installation (80 m² apartment) typically takes 2.5–3 hours on site including thermostat programming.