Next Generation Energy’s thermal systems produce billions of BTUs per year at locations including hospitals, jails and houses. Dave Kreutzman, the company’s CEO, has been in the industry for more than 30 years, and he says the residential solar hot water industry is about to change.
Kreutzman says two major problems persist in the industry now: The workforce is too small and undertrained to maintain conventional technology and, even if there were enough skilled labor, customers dislike spending significant cash on system maintenance.
“What we’ve done is figure out a way to heat residential water with photovoltaics, off-grid, and integrate it into standard tanks,” Kreutzman says. “It simplifies solar water heating, and we can do it at a fraction of the cost of a conventional system.”
Next Generation Energy has eliminated pumps, heat exchangers and copper lines and created the SunBandit. The SunBandit, a complete water-heating system, harnesses energy from PV modules and transfers electricity to a microgrid water-heating component, which warms water in a specially designed tank. A grid-tied element provides a back up for the microgrid, creating a hybrid energy system. It does not require approval from utilities.
The company says a conventional solar hot-water heater for a home, depending on its size, could cost $12,000. The SunBandit is expected to cost about $3,000 for a family of two, a price that may be reduced with rebates, incentives and other programs.
“The SunBandit is for everyone, not just the select few who can afford $12,000 (for a conventional solar hot-water system),” says Bill Beedon, director of marketing and business development at Next Generation Energy. “It allows everyone to contribute to energy independence and a cleaner environment.”
While technology like this has been attempted before, the market has never been so perfect, Beedon says. The cost of modules is down, and performance has gone up. Additionally, conventional hot-water systems are prone to a variety of mechanical complications, while the company says SunBandit will be relatively worry-free.
The SunBandit will require more space on the roof than a conventional solar-thermal system, but Kreutzman contends that increased efficiency of photovolataic panels and their reduced prices will be worth it.
“We see this literally revolutionizing the way water is heated across the world,” says Kreutzman. “It’s able to be installed by anybody.”
By mid-May, the company had already sold its initial supply of SunBandits, and it expects to eventually attract a 5% market share. In 10 years, Kreutzman says every new building in America will have solar hot water. SPW
Jerry Dewhurst says
We live in Anchorage Alaska, are there special panels for our sun angle? Can the extra electricity be
transferred to the grid? Or can the heated water be transferred to our geo-thermal system?
We have a 2700 sf 3 bath home with only the 2 of us living there, but frequent
family visits, up to 10 people in the summer.
Kelly Pickerel says
Jerry, We would recommend reaching out to the folks at Arctic Solar Ventures. They’re well versed in Alaskan solar questions. https://www.arcticsolarventures.com/
David Haskell says
The costs quoted for conventional solar thermal is double what the market sees …. Why exaggerate? If the SolarBandit is all that is reported then truthfulness is important to your market reputation. Question — does the solarbandit work in combination with gas heating? Are we trying to heat water with PV electrical power or waste heat from panel production of electricity?
Arjan Eikelenboom says
THIS is what everyone NEEDS. Easy, safe, affordable, durable…I’m releasing a solar energy guide in the Netherlands and will mention the Sun Bandit. For the American edition I will visit the company for an interview.
nino iannella says
is there a phone number that i can call to?