Fronius and Loxone Offer Comprehensive Energy Management System

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PRESS RELEASE

Cooperation

Fronius and Loxone offer comprehensive energy management system

(Wels, 21.08.2013) Fronius International GmbH, quality leader in the field of solar electronics, and Loxone, inventor of the Miniserver-based solution for home automation, have recently started working together. The aim is to offer customers of both companies a comprehensive energy management system. As a result, customers will be able to increase their self-consumption and cut costs.

Increasing self-consumption through intelligent home automation

The LoxoneMiniserver controls everything in the home, from the shading to the heating. Combining the Miniserver with a photovoltaic system and Fronius inverters gives the property owner a convenient way of managing energy to increase levels of self-consumption. In other words, more of the energy generated can be consumed at source.

The overall result is that the investment in the photovoltaic system is recouped that much sooner. Another important aspect is greater autonomy in the supply of energy. “The aim of our cooperation with Loxone is to offer our customers a comprehensive energy management system”, says Martin Hackl, Head of the Solar Electronics division of Fronius International GmbH. Connecting the Fronius inverter to the LoxoneMiniserver is very easy; doing so provides the customer with many useful applications, such as the ability to control a wide range of consumers according to the amount of current produced, or the option to charge an electric car.

The LoxoneMiniserver - the perfect complement to the Fronius inverter

The LoxoneMiniserver is a PLC-based solution for controlling light, shade, cooling, energy consumption and much more. The major advantage compared with many other home control devices is the open nature of the system, which means there are no restrictions on the number of applications. In addition, it is a very simple matter to combine the Miniserver with the Fronius inverter. “We offer a comprehensive home automation solution into which the photovoltaic system can now easily be integrated”, explains Thomas Moser, Managing Director of Loxone.

The Miniserver-based control solution for the domestic environment is comprehensive, intuitive and, above all, affordable. The Loxone system can be controlled with every conceivable device, be it a traditional light switch, PC or touchscreen. Android smartphones, iPhones and iPads can be used to provide a convenient way of controlling the home.

Many advantages - great benefits to the customer

Plug & Play: the Fronius inverter is simply connected to the LoxoneMiniserver using a network cable. All the inverter data can be processed in the control system without any further configuration work.

Effective maximisation of self-consumption: targeted switching of consumers, for example according to PV power, time, weather or similar factors, helps to increase self-consumption levels and reduce electricity bills.

The simple configuration and clear displays contribute greatly to the system's ease of use and provide a good overview of all the components controlled by the Miniserver.

The Miniserver also displays the photovoltaic system yield and sets this against the demand for current, allowing the level of self-consumption to be seen at any time.

Together with Loxone, Fronius will be offering special training sessions on the theme of energy management and home automation systems from autumn 2013.

About Loxone

Loxone was founded in Upper Austria in 2009 and already has more than 5,000 customers. The company has a strong focus on internationalisation and has aglobal sales operationwith subsidiaries in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Spain and the USA.

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Overview of photographs:

Combining Fronius inverters with Loxone'sMiniserver-based solution for home automation is very straightforward and helps cut costs.

Controlling the Loxone system is very simple: Android smartphones, iPhones and iPads also provide convenient ways of controlling the home.

About Fronius International GmbH

Fronius International GmbH is an Austrian company with headquarters in Pettenbach and other sites in Wels, Thalheim, Steinhaus and Sattledt. With 3,239 employees worldwide, the company is active in the fields of battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics. Around 93% of its products are exported through 19 international Fronius subsidiaries and sales partners/representatives in over 60 countries. With its innovative products and services and 864 active patents, Fronius is a global technology leader.

Enquiries:

Andrea SCHARTNER, +43 664 88536765, , Froniusplatz 1, 4600 Wels, Austria.

Simone WINKLER, +61 (3) 8340 2945, , 90-92 Lambeck Drive, 3043 Tullamarine Vic, Australia.

Kim WHARTON, +44 (1908) 512 340, , Maidstone Road, Kingston, Milton Keynes, MK10 0BD, United Kingdom.

LiaVANBAALEN, +1 905 288 2128, , 2875 Argentia Rd Units 3-6, L5N 8G6 Mississauga, ON, Canada.

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