Why solar thermal energy is the future?
When excluding the automotive sector, the global demand for heat is twice as high as the demand for electricity. If major electricity consumers such as air conditioning and cooking are converted to thermal operation, the proportion of heat demand increases even further. In direct thermal applications, solar collectors achieve an efficiency of around 80%, allowing this energy to be used with minimal losses. By contrast, even the best photovoltaic (PV) systems reach only about 20% efficiency under real-world conditions, making them less suitable for such applications.
Solar thermal technology can also contribute significantly to electricity generation. Using our steam-generating collectors, we can achieve electrical efficiencies of up to 24% through steam power plants. Moreover, integrated processes that combine heat extraction and power generation offer promising opportunities. Compared to current PV systems, these solutions are more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
A major advantage of solar thermal energy lies in its storage capability. Thermal energy storage systems cost only about 5% of what battery storage systems require, offer a significantly longer lifespan, and do not rely on rare earth elements.
Advanced thermal storage units, directly integrated into the collector circuit, can also be used for power generation. When measured by electricity output, their cost is just 35% of that of conventional electrical storage solutions.
Why does the Oktosol system generate saturated steam?
Saturated steam ensures highly efficient heat transfer during condensation, with no associated temperature drop. This enables the use of compact, cost-optimized heat exchangers across applications such as thermal storage, refrigeration systems, industrial cooking processes, and district heating. Direct steam generation inside the collectors represents the most straightforward and cost-efficient method for producing electricity through solar thermal energy.
Why is vacuum technology used?
A high vacuum environment completely suppresses convective heat loss. Moreover, selective absorber coatings remain permanently stable, as no chemical reactions can occur in the absence of air. This vacuum protection not only preserves the efficiency of the absorber but also ensures optimal insulation. The same advantages apply to the hot steam-carrying pipes — both inside the collector system and along the piping to the energy station.
How many collectors are needed to operate the absorption chiller, the seawater desalination plant, and the steam engine?
The modular absorption chillers are designed for capacities ranging from 1 to 8 Oktosol units.
The seawater desalination plant, in its smallest configuration, can already be operated with just 2 Oktosol units. The largest module is designed for 15 to 25 Oktosol units.
The steam engine is designed to operate with 8 to 12 Oktosol units.
What is the required distance between the collectors on flat ground?
The required distance depends on the geographic latitude. To minimize mutual shading (with a maximum yield loss of 7%), the distances vary between 12 and 20 meters, depending on North-South and East-West orientation.
At the 47° latitude, it is possible to install approximately 40 Oktosol units per hectare.
The closer the location is to the equator, the more collectors can be installed per hectare.
When will Oktosol systems be available on the market, and what will they cost?
The market launch of Oktosol, along with its peripheral connection devices, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
The calculated sales prices refer to complete packages with varying peripheral equipment, including foundation work and installation. Allocated to a single Oktosol unit, the system costs are as follows:
One Oktosol with thermal storage tank (2 m³):
€15,000
One Oktosol with thermal storage tank and absorption chiller:
€25,000
One Oktosol with thermal storage tank, absorption chiller, and cooking unit:
€32,000
One Oktosol with seawater desalination system:
€22,000
Where and by whom will Oktosol systems be manufactured?
Our objective is to produce as close to the market as possible.
Similar to the automotive industry, there is a wide network of specialized suppliers across different regions who can easily manufacture all components of our collector systems to the required standards.
