They generally work the same as a standard water heater. However, what sets the eXeL Hybrid Solar Water Heater apart is the fact that it requires very low voltage to heat the water. Strategically placed photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are used to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Even on cloudy days, the generated electricity is sufficient to power a proprietary electric heating element in the water tank. When the electricity flows through the heating element, it generates heat, which is transferred to the water in the tank.

Using a solar water heater can help lower your carbon footprint, increase the long-term value of your home, and most importantly, reduce your monthly energy bill by as much as 25%. It is an elegant solution to embrace sustainability and become a bit more environmentally friendly.

The eXeL hybrid solar water heater is a fully standards-compliant product. It is straightforward to install and is designed with user safety in mind. It uses low voltage circuitry (below 60VDC), requires minimal plumbing and basic electrical knowledge to install. We do always recommend using professional labor to assure your installed system meets the latest codes.

The components of a solar water heater require very little maintenance. Our system can be serviced the same way any other standard natural gas or electric home water heater would be cleaned and maintained.

Yes, solar water heaters can indeed be utilized in cold climates. Because our eXeL hybrid solar water heater uses low voltage circuitry, the dedicated solar panels require only a minimal amount of sunlight to generate the energy to heat the heating element(s). And the unit also comes standard with an A/C backup feature to leverage grid provided electricity to augment the primary solar power source.