Vaillant auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S - solar module (pressurized system)

Product detailed description

Vaillant auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S – powerful solar module for larger collector arrays

The Vaillant auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S solar module (manufacturer order number 0010015140) is the most powerful member of the auroFLOW exclusive range of integrated solar charging stations for pressurised (glycol) solar systems. While the smaller VPM 20/2 S model covers standard family houses with a collector array of up to 20 m², this higher-output variant is designed for larger collector arrays with an area of approximately 20 to 60 m² of auroTHERM flat solar collectors – meaning primarily apartment buildings, guesthouses, operational buildings or larger family houses with higher hot water consumption and a larger roof area suitable for installing solar collectors.

Like the smaller model, the VPM 60/2 S integrates all the components needed to operate the solar circuit into a single compact unit – a solar pump, a plate heat exchanger, a differential controller with display, a safety group and a switching valve – thereby simplifying both the design and installation of larger solar systems that would otherwise require assembling many individual components on site.

Sized for larger collector arrays

The higher capacity of the VPM 60/2 S module is reflected mainly in a more powerful solar circulation pump and a higher-capacity plate heat exchanger, which can process the larger volume of heat transfer fluid coming from a larger collector array. This makes it possible to efficiently use the high solar yield during the summer months with large collector arrays, where a smaller module would represent a hydraulic bottleneck for the entire system and part of the potential solar yield would go unused.

As with the smaller model, the differential control continuously compares the temperature at the collectors with that in the storage tank and starts the pump only when the temperature difference is sufficient for efficient heat transfer, thereby maximising solar yield and minimising unnecessary pump operation.

Integrated components

• Powerful solar circulation pump with electronically controlled speed, sized for a larger flow of heat transfer fluid.
• Plate heat exchanger with higher transfer capacity corresponding to a larger collector area.
• Integrated differential solar controller with an illuminated graphic display showing solar yield and operating temperatures.
• Safety group with a pressure gauge and filling/draining valve for the solar circuit.
• Integrated three-way switching valve enabling cascade connection of multiple modules.
• Temperature and flow sensors for precise measurement of solar yield and diagnostics.

Installation and mounting options

The VPM 60/2 S module can be mounted directly on a storage tank (typically a larger model from the allSTOR exclusive range) using a quick-connector system, or mounted separately on a wall and connected to the tank by piping – this option is used relatively often in larger installations, since large storage tanks are usually part of a separate plant room and it may be more suitable to place the module away from direct contact with the tank for space or servicing reasons. The delivery includes a power cable, a set of adapters with sealing rings for connecting to the tank, and seals for the solar circuit.

Cascade connection for large solar arrays

For collector arrays exceeding the capacity of a single VPM 60/2 S module, or when a large roof area is divided into multiple separately oriented collector branches (for example, the east and west sides of the roof), up to two auroFLOW exclusive modules can be connected in a cascade using the integrated three-way valve, allowing solar arrays with a total area of up to 120 m² to be covered.

Technical characteristics

Compatibility and recommended system

The auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S module is most often combined with larger storage tanks from the allSTOR exclusive range with a volume ranging from hundreds to thousands of litres, auroTHERM solar collectors, and, if flow-based domestic hot water preparation is needed, also with the powerful aguaFLOW exclusive VPM 40/45/2 W fresh water module, or several such modules in a cascade. The Vaillant system controller then coordinates, via the eBUS bus, the cooperation between the solar yield, auxiliary heating from the heat source (boiler, heat pump) and the distribution of hot water throughout the whole building.

Benefits for larger and commercial installations

• Efficient use of a large collector area – appropriately sized components do not create a hydraulic bottleneck even with a high solar yield.
• Simplified design – a single integrated module replaces a large number of individually sized components, which is particularly advantageous for larger and more complex projects.
• Scalability up to 120 m² – the possibility of cascading two modules covers even very large collector arrays.
• Clear diagnostics and monitoring – particularly important for commercial installations where the return on investment in the solar system is being tracked.

Installation recommendations

Given the larger scale of the collector array and the higher volume of heat transfer fluid in the circuit, when designing a system with the VPM 60/2 S module it is important to pay increased attention to correctly sizing the piping between the collectors and the module (pipe diameter, route length, heat losses), as well as to the capacity of the expansion vessel corresponding to the volume of the whole solar circuit. Commissioning, filling the circuit with heat transfer fluid and setting up the controls must be carried out by a qualified technician experienced with larger solar installations.

Maintenance

For larger solar systems, regular maintenance is even more important, since any fault or drop in efficiency results in a larger volume of unused solar energy. An annual service inspection checks:

• pressure in the solar circuit and the condition of the expansion vessel (larger systems may also require an additional external expansion vessel),
• concentration and condition of the heat transfer fluid (glycol),
• functionality of the safety group and pressure gauge,
• performance and noise level of the solar pump,
• accuracy of the temperature sensors and the displayed solar yield,
• in the case of a cascade connection, also correct switching between the individual modules.

Why choose this high-output model

For buildings with a larger roof area suitable for installing a larger collector array, or for apartment buildings and facilities with high hot water consumption where it is economically worthwhile to maximise the share of solar energy used in its preparation, the auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S represents a technically advanced solution with sufficient output. Thanks to the possibility of cascade expansion, the system can also be expanded in the future without the need to completely replace the existing equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Designing larger solar installations with the VPM 60/2 S module

When designing an installation with the VPM 60/2 S module, increased attention must be paid to several aspects that may not be as critical in smaller systems:

• Piping design – with a larger flow of heat transfer fluid, it is necessary to select a sufficient pipe diameter between the collectors and the module to avoid excessive pressure losses.
• Layout of the collector array – for large collector areas (approaching the upper limit of 60 m², or up to 120 m² in a cascade), it may be worth considering dividing the array into several separately connected sections with balanced flow.
• Expansion vessel capacity – the volume of heat transfer fluid in a large solar circuit requires a correspondingly sized (often additional external) expansion vessel.
• Coordination with the heat source – for commercial and residential buildings, it is advisable to plan in advance the interaction between solar yield and auxiliary heating by a boiler or heat pump, in order to maximise the share of renewable energy in total consumption.

Return on investment for larger solar systems

For buildings with high and relatively constant hot water consumption (apartment buildings, accommodation facilities, premises with showers), a large collector array combined with the appropriately sized VPM 60/2 S module represents an investment with real potential for a return through savings on the energy needed to heat water from the heat source. The rate of return depends on the specific location, roof orientation, the building's consumption profile and current energy prices, so it is advisable to have an accurate estimate prepared by a specialised solar system designer.

Combination with other heat sources

The VPM 60/2 S module can be connected into a system together with several heat sources at the same time – for example, a cascade of ecoCRAFT condensing boilers to cover peak demand, and solar yield through this module to cover base demand on sunny days. Such a hybrid solution helps optimise both operating costs and the building's carbon footprint, as the heat source is activated only when the solar yield is not sufficient to cover current demand.

Seasonal differences in output and operation planning

The solar yield of the VPM 60/2 S module varies significantly over the course of the year – while in the summer months, with a sufficiently large collector array, it can cover most or even all of the heat demand for domestic hot water preparation, in the winter months, with short days and a low angle of solar radiation, the solar yield drops significantly and the system relies mainly on auxiliary heating from the heat source. When planning, it is therefore important to understand the auroFLOW exclusive module as a supplementary, energy-saving heat source, not as a replacement for the primary heat source (boiler, heat pump), which must be sized to cover the entire demand even without solar radiation.

Monitoring and remote supervision

Thanks to communication via the eBUS bus and connection to the Vaillant system controller, it is possible in larger installations (for example, in the management of apartment buildings or commercial buildings) to monitor the module's operating data remotely, which allows the building manager or service organisation to continuously evaluate the efficiency of the solar system and detect any drop in performance in good time, indicating the need for a service intervention, such as a drop in circuit pressure or reduced heat exchanger efficiency.

Summary

The Vaillant auroFLOW exclusive VPM 60/2 S is the most powerful integrated solar module in the auroFLOW exclusive family, designed for larger collector arrays and more demanding installations in apartment buildings, guesthouses or operational buildings. It provides an efficient, scalable and technically comprehensive solution for solar-assisted domestic hot water preparation, with the possibility of further expansion through cascading.