Vitovalor PA2: Fuel cell heating device for system modernization
Everyone is currently talking about the fuel cell and its potential for protecting the climate. With Vitovalor PA2, Viessman shows that this promising future technology not only plays an important role for the mobility sector, but also for use in residential buildings.
Mar 2, 2019 – The new natural gas-powered Vitovalor PA2 fuel cell module – the perfect accompaniment for existing heating systems in single-family homes and large residential buildings – is now available. It enables homeowners to generate their own electricity, gain independence from public power supply networks and insulate themselves from rising electricity prices. The device also opens up a new area of business for specialist partners by enabling them to offer a power generation innovation to their customers, including those with modernized heating systems.
Covers the majority of daily electricity demand
The PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell in the Vitovalor PA2 has an electrical output of 750 watts. It can produce up to 18 kWh of power – enough to cover the bulk of a single-family home’s daily requirements. However, the Vitovalor PA2 is also suitable for use in large residential buildings’ electricity supplies.
When integrated as effectively as possible in the building’s energy system, the fuel cell can generate up to 6000 kWh of electricity per year. As a result, less electricity needs to be purchased from electricity suppliers. Homeowners can benefit from annual savings of up to 800 euros.
The heat generated when the fuel cell is in operation is used either to heat the house or for DHW generation, providing a cost-saving complement to the heating system. Installing a heating water buffer cylinder is also highly recommended, such as the Vitocell 100-E with 600 to 950-liter capacity or the Vitocell 340-M with 400 to 950-liter capacity.
Up to 11100 euros of state subsidies available
The German Development Bank (KfW) grants subsidies of 9300 euros for installation of a fuel cell module. Homeowners who also obtain the one-off payment for cogenerated electricity in accordance with the German Combined Heat and Power Generation Act (KWKG) can claim a further 1800 euros – making the total financial subsidy available 11100 euros. If you don’t have time or money to spare on these applications, you can also use the Viessmann FörderProfi (Subsidy Pro) service to help. This new service handles all aspects of application processing right up to issuance of the subsidy itself.
Easy, convenient control
The fuel cell heating device’s newly developed electronic platform features a 7" color touch display for convenient control. Messages are given in plain terms to ensure easy communication. The adaptive integrated energy manager reacts to its users’ personal requirements. This means that it only switches the fuel cell on when the heat demand ensures sufficiently long run times, meaning that electricity can be generated given the expected use of self-generated power.
Service packages guarantee a long lifespan
The fuel cells in the Vitovalor PA2 have a long lifespan of 80000 operating hours. This corresponds to a service life of around 10 years. That said, the module can run for up to 20 years when specialist maintenance is carried out every 5 years. After maintenance, the fuel cell is guaranteed to operate for a further 5 years. For this reason, Viessmann offers a service package with a 10-year performance and functional warranty.
Easy planning and installation
Specialist partners can use the Vitovalor calculator to plan and configure a Vitovalor system, available on the new Systemberater (System Consultant) site. The Systemberater site provides specialist guidance and enables partners to select a suitable system quickly and accurately on the basis of a few specific input values. When combined with the Angebots-Assistent (Quote Assistant) – Viessmann’s software tool for configuration and quote generation – specialist partners can create individual packages for every customer quickly and easily.
At just 1600 millimeters tall, the new fuel cell module can also be installed in cramped rooms with a ceiling height of only 1800 millimeters. If the building already features a Vitodens gas condensing boiler with a heat output up to 26 kilowatts, an additional exhaust system does not need to be installed for the Vitovalor PA2. Vitodens units constructed from 2011 onwards can be operated with the Vitovalor PA2 in a single exhaust cascade.
Advantages for trade partners
- Can be retrofitted for existing systems in single-family homes and large residential buildings
- Ideal for covering requirements in case of high heat demand
- Easy to integrate in existing systems
Easy to combine with heating water buffer cylinders (Vitocell 100-E, Vitocell 140-E, Vitocell 340-M)
Advantages for homeowners
- Retrofit your existing heating system to generate your own power
- High degree of independence from the public electricity grid
- Environmentally-friendly – significant CO2 savings
- Low maintenance costs thanks to long maintenance intervals (5 years)
- 10-year service package guarantees reliable operation
- Generous subsidies of up to 11100 euros available
Technical data
- Output: 0.75 kWel, 1.1 kWth
- Electrical degree of efficiency: 37 %
- Sound emission: < 48 dB(A)
- Energy efficiency category: A+++
Delivery date
Vitovalor PA2 is available for delivery from April 2019.
Video: Fit for future
According to a recent survey, almost half of all German citizens can see themselves heating with hydrogen. This is because hydrogen burns in a CO2-neutral manner and therefore protects our planet. Viessmann's H2 ready gas condensing boilers can already efficiently convert up to 30 percent hydrogen content in natural gas into heat, thus making them fit for future.