SunMate PV Diverter
We are very pleased to present to you the new look SunMate!
The NEW LOOK SunMate has ARRIVED!!
What has changed? What has stayed the same?
The functions, features and programming of the SunMate have remained exactly the same. The changes have been slight changes in components of the PCB (some electronic parts have been replaced with identical components). Rest assured all of the components pass our strenuous QA testing.
There is a new look housing that is now matte white instead of the glossy material of the previous units. This gives the unit a more sleek and modern look. The packaging has also been redesigned to make preparing unit for shipping faster and easier.
Everything else you know and love about the SunMate has remained the same.
SunMate 2.0
Divert Excess PV to your Electric Hot Water
The SunMate is an innovative renewable energy management product that will use all the surplus power generated by your solar power to produce hot water. Every unit of power used to heat the hot water in this way reduces imported energy by the same amount, resulting in a significant saving in imported energy costs.
The SunMate works with any solar system and uses a standard electric hot system to produce free hot water. The advanced SunMate controller ensures maximum usage of solar and/or wind power that would have been exported. The system is simple to install and will not affect your feed-in tariff payments.
The SunMate system works by accurately monitoring the power being imported or exported and always diverts sufficient power into the hot water system in order to keep the exported power to as near zero as possible whilst at the same time ensuring that no additional grid power is ever imported to supply the hot water store. Priority is always given to the energy demands of the household appliances and only surplus energy that would have otherwise been exported is stored in the hot water system.
Also available in 3 phase
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No Need To Change Your Existing Electric Hot Water Unit
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Easy To Install
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Boost/Timer Function
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Accurate power measurement
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Precise intelligent power control
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Highly reliable dual redundant solid state power electronics
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LCD Display
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5 Year Warranty
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Wireless Ready
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2 outputs each configurable for variable or threshold power mode
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Variable power mode for water heating
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Threshold mode control for appliance control
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Temperature sensor or thermostat operation
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Output power expandable to 12KW
SunMate Wireless CT Sender Unit
This Product is used when the SunMate has to be installed away from the Main Switchboard.
The SunMate wireless CT Sender Unit allows for easy and cable free monitoring of the Import / Export power. Then that information is sent to the SunMate controller, that can be located away from the CT. Max range 100 metres (standard test in property 50 Metres).
Your SunMate Questions Answered
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Is SunMate easy to install?
Yes! SunMate can be installed by solar or wind installers or electricians. SunMate does not need to be installed by a CEC certified installer and will not affect the CEC certification of your micro-generation system. Only one clip-on type import/export sensor is used.
What energy savings can I expect?
This will depend on the size of your solar system or wind turbine and the amount of hot water you use. For a 4 person family with a 4KW solar system you can expect savings of nearly $400 per year.
Will I still get my export tariff payments?
Yes. Once your water is heated, excess remaining power will be exported to the Grid. You will receive your current FIT export payment. This means you can use all your generated energy and still receive all the export payments!
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Do I need a hot water tank?
Yes, you do need an electric hot water system which uses a hot water storage tank. SunMate stores the excess energy generated as hot water.
If no excess energy is generated do I still get hot water?
Yes, SunMate works in conjunction with your normal hot water system. On days when excess power is not available from the solar or wind system your water is heated in the normal way.
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Can I see how much energy I have saved?
Yes, SunMate records and displays how much energy has been saved and which would have otherwise been exported.
Can I still use my Off-Peak water heating?
Yes, SunMate has a built-in timer which allows 3 different on/off periods to be programmed for each 24 hours so you can still take full advantage of your off-peak supply. But you will need an Off-Peak relay, which is available on our Online Store.
Does SunMate have a second output?
Yes, SunMate has two independent variable power outputs so that a second water tank can be heated or power can be diverted to a second heater, e.g. a storage heater if the first water tank becomes fully heated. SunMate can even be programmed to equally share any available surplus solar or wind power between the two outputs.
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Can SunMate display the hot water temperature?
Yes, an optional temperature sensor can be fitted to SunMate to display and control the hot water temperature.
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What is the SunMate warranty?
All SunMate systems are supplied with a 5 year warranty.
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What happens if the hot water system doesn’t heat up completely during the day?
Even if the hot water system doesn’t heat up completely it will heat up as per normal on the off-peak settings. The SunMate aims to reduce the amount of off-peak power that is needed.
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What can I power with the 2nd output?
In addition to Electric Hot Water, the 2nd output can be used for various appliances: Air Conditioner units, Jacuzzis,under floor heating, etc.
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I have 3 phase power to my house but the electric hot water is on single phase. Do I need a single phase or 3 phase SunMate?
The 3 phase SunMate monitors across the electricity across all 3 phases. However, the output is single phase. So if you have 3 phase power to your property you will need the 3 phase SunMate.
Is the SunMate compatible with a PV system larger than 4kW?
Yes. The SunMate is designed to drive a standard 3kW load. A micro-generation system greater than 4kW is likely to produce more surplus power than the 3kW output and there will be energy flow back to the grid on top of that used by the hot water system.
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I have zero export due to my area having an over supply of Solar. Is the SunMate still worth it for me?
The answer is YES! There are 2 options for this scenario.
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You allow your system to export 100 Watts. Then the SunMate will start absorbing energy and your system will keep ramping up. The 100W is just to start the energy absorption.
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The SunMate has a cool function called “offset”. You can offset the SunMate by 100W so as soon as the import value drops to below 100W the SunMate energy absorption will start.
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I am looking at changing my hot water system from continuous gas heater system to a heat pump system. Will the SunMate be compatible with a heat pump system or does it have to be an electric hot water system?
The short answer is that the Thermann Hybrid X is recommended for use with the SunMate 2.0. Or you can use any heat pump that operates in a similar way to the Thermann.
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I want to be able to send more than 3.6kW to my output/s. Is there a way to do this?
The answer is yes. With a relay you can send more than 3.6kW to your output/s. However, this needs to be done in Threshold mode, not Optimisation mode.
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Can the SunMate be used in an Off-Grid application?
The short answer is NO. The SunMate is designed to divert between Solar power and Grid power.
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Where does the SunMate unit have to be installed?
The SunMate is usually installed in your meter box. However, it can be installed anywhere in an enclosed, waterproof area. The CTs can be extended by an electrician if required. Or the Wireless CT may be used.
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What are the dimensions of the SunMate unit?
The unit itself is 20h x 13w x 7d cms.