Hanwha Solutions to Deploy Solar Heating Systems in Energy-Strapped Europe

Samsung Electronics heat pump (left), Q CELLS energy storage system (ESS) and inverter (right) exhibited at IFA 2022

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Hanwha Solutions is joining forces with Samsung Electronics to address the heating crisis in Europe. By combining Hanwha Solutions' solar power supply system with Samsung Electronics' heat pump (EHS), the integrated energy solution aims to help European households struggling with rising electricity and gas prices reduce their heating costs during winter.

Hanwha Solutions' Q CELLS division (Hanwha Q CELLS) announced on the 15th that it will actively engage in building solar heating systems in Europe. By integrating solar modules, energy storage systems (ESS), and heat pumps, the company intends to reduce heating expenses and carbon emissions through eco-friendly power.

Consumers can use 'Command,' a smartphone app developed by Q CELLS for energy management, to supply solar power to heat pumps and replace fossil fuel-based heating systems. Real-time monitoring of usage enables efficient power consumption, helping to alleviate the burden of increased electricity costs during winter caused by rising gas prices.

Through Samsung Electronics' home appliance control solution app, 'SmartThings Energy,' consumers can also operate heat pumps and other appliances using solar power via the 'Zero Energy Home' feature. Earlier this month, Samsung unveiled an energy platform for their joint business at IFA2022, Europe's largest home appliance exhibition held in Berlin, Germany.

A heat pump is a device that extracts thermal energy from the outside air for heating and hot water. Utilizing solar power and ESS can reduce heating costs. Additionally, compared to conventional heating devices that generate energy by directly burning fossil fuels, heat pumps emit less carbon.

Europe, currently facing an energy shortage due to gas supply disruptions, is rapidly increasing interest in alternative heating devices such as heat pumps, especially in countries like Germany. This is because natural gas prices in Europe have surged up to tenfold compared to the beginning of the year, causing electricity rates to soar as well.

The European Union also announced in May, through its renewable energy expansion plan REPowerEU, that it aims to increase heat pump installations from the current 17 million units to 50 million units by 2030, projecting the European market size to reach $29 billion (approximately 39 trillion KRW) annually.

A Hanwha Q CELLS official stated, "We will contribute to reducing heating costs in Europe, where the worst energy crisis is feared this winter, by combining solar power and heat pump technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.