Key Takeaways

• Naked Energy has launched VirtuMAX, a new solar thermal technology designed for industrial applications.
• VirtuMAX features a unique ground-mounted design, increasing efficiency by utilizing 85% of the land area.
• The company is expanding into Germany’s energy market, addressing a significant opportunity for decarbonizing industrial heat.

Innovative Solar Technology

Naked Energy has introduced VirtuMAX, an advanced ground-mounted solar thermal technology aimed at providing high-performance renewable heating for large-scale industrial projects. Unlike traditional solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal technology generates renewable heat. Naked Energy’s Virtu collectors are noted for having the highest energy density within both solar thermal and solar PV categories, boasting the potential to achieve up to ten times greater carbon savings compared to conventional PV panels.

The VirtuMAX system is designed for district heating networks and industrial installations, featuring a tubular design that eliminates the need for spacing between units. In contrast to traditional solar setups, which often encounter self-shading issues due to their flat design, VirtuMAX optimizes land use by harnessing 85% of the ground area for energy production, as opposed to only 40% efficiency seen in traditional solar technologies. This low-profile structure enhances durability, service accessibility, and reduces visual impact.

With the introduction of VirtuMAX, Naked Energy expands its TÜV Rhineland-certified Virtu range, which includes VirtuHOT—producing clean heat up to 120 °C—and VirtuPVT, which combines PV and solar thermal capabilities, generating heat up to 75 °C along with electricity.

Expansion into Germany

The launch of VirtuMAX aligns with Naked Energy’s strategic expansion into Germany, a market characterized by high heat demand. The company has also appointed Nils Lunkenheimer to spearhead business development in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Currently, only 14% of Germany’s heating demand is met through renewable energy, revealing a significant opportunity for decarbonization in the industrial sector.

Naked Energy’s technology functions independently of power grids, a critical consideration as Germany’s energy suppliers seek €68 billion in new equity to upgrade the grid and meet upcoming 2035 targets. Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy, emphasized that decarbonizing industrial heat remains a challenging task in Europe. He noted the growing popularity of district heating networks and cautioned against an over-reliance on electrification, which could impose significant costs on taxpayers for necessary grid upgrades.

Williams mentioned, “VirtuMAX has been developed specifically to address these problems and should mark the end of space-inefficient solar systems.” He expressed enthusiasm for entering the German market to support businesses and communities in their decarbonization efforts without depending on the grid.

Nils Lunkenheimer underscored the growing demand from district heating networks and large industrial customers for VirtuMAX, calling it a milestone for Naked Energy. The expansion into German-speaking markets is seen as a natural progression in the company’s international growth journey. As Naked Energy works toward new solutions for renewable heating, VirtuMAX stands out as a promising technology dedicated to sustainability and efficiency in industrial applications.

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