Vaillant wall-mounting bracket, extension 1x auroFLOW exclusiv VPM…/2 S

Product detailed description

Vaillant wall-mounting bracket, expansion for 1 x VPM…/2 S — adding a second auroFLOW exclusiv solar station

The 1 x VPM…/2 S expansion bracket is an additional Vaillant mounting part that allows a second station of the same type to be added to an already existing, separately installed 1x wall-mounting bracket for the auroFLOW exclusiv solar charging station, without the need to purchase and install an entirely new 2x bracket from scratch. This is the solar counterpart of the expansion part for aguaFLOW exclusiv fresh water stations — the same modular expansion principle, this time applied to the solar circuit charging the allSTOR exclusiv storage tank with heat from the solar collectors.

Typical use case — expanding the solar field

The need to add a second solar charging station to an existing installation most often arises when the solar field itself is expanded during the operation of the building (for example, adding further collectors to the roof when extending the building, or deciding to increase the share of solar coverage of heat demand after the initial installation with a smaller number of collectors). In such a case, it may be more advantageous for hydraulic or control reasons to split the enlarged solar field into two separate circuits, each with its own charging station, rather than trying to connect all collectors to a single, originally smaller station, which could then be overloaded beyond its original parameters.

This expansion part is designed exactly for this scenario — it allows a second station to be added to the original, already functioning 1x bracket (code 0010014299) with the first solar station, taking over part of the expanded solar field, without the need to change or remove the already working original solution.

Why expansion is cheaper than a complete 2x bracket

Just as with the equivalent expansion part for aguaFLOW exclusiv, the price difference between the expansion (€600) and a full 2x bracket (which, for solar stations, would represent a higher investment than the 1x version at €990) results from the fact that the expansion part uses the already existing supporting structure of the original bracket and adds only those elements needed to mount and hydraulically integrate the second solar station. The customer therefore does not pay again for the part of the structure they already own from the original installation.

Technical design

The expansion bracket is designed to mechanically connect to an already existing, properly anchored 1x bracket for auroFLOW exclusiv (code 0010014299), forming together with it a supporting structure for both solar stations. In terms of material, it is the same type of steel construction with anti-corrosion surface treatment as the basic bracket. Given the already mentioned need for insulation caps on the solar circuit, when ordering this expansion it is again advisable to consider adding a matching set of insulation caps for the connection points of the second station, if they are not included with this expansion part.

Installing the solar circuit expansion

Before ordering this expansion part, it is necessary to already have a functioning original 1x bracket with the first auroFLOW exclusiv solar station installed. Installing the expansion includes mechanically connecting the expansion part of the bracket, mounting the second solar station, its hydraulic connection to the expanded solar field (second collector circuit) and to the outlet connection with the shared allSTOR exclusiv storage tank. This work requires a qualified installer with experience in Vaillant solar thermal systems and in coordinating two separate solar circuits feeding a single storage tank — including correctly setting up the control system so that both stations work together efficiently according to the current radiation intensity on the individual parts of the solar field (which may, for example, have a different orientation or tilt if the collectors were added later).

As with the expansion of fresh water stations, it is necessary to verify the load-bearing capacity of the wall before installation, taking into account the combined weight of both solar stations, both parts of the bracket, and the filled solar circuit piping.

Compatibility

This expansion part is compatible exclusively with the 1x bracket for auroFLOW exclusiv, code 0010014299, and serves to expand it with a second solar station of the same VPM…/2 S series. It is not compatible with the expansion part for aguaFLOW exclusiv (variant W) — a separate part with its own order number exists for that.

Maintenance

After installing the expansion, the same maintenance principles apply as for the basic solar station bracket — regular visual inspection of the wall anchor points (now bearing the higher load of two stations), inspection of the mechanical connection between the original and expansion parts of the bracket, and inspection of the condition of the insulation caps at the connection points of both stations due to possible temperature peaks in the solar circuit.

Difference between expanding a solar and a fresh water system from a planning perspective

While with aguaFLOW exclusiv fresh water stations the main reason for expansion is usually an increase in hot water consumption in the building (more occupants, an extension, a change of building purpose), with auroFLOW exclusiv solar stations the impulse for expansion is most often a physical expansion of the solar field itself on the roof — that is, an investment decision to add further collectors, which does not depend on a change in consumption but on the decision to increase the share of solar coverage of the building's heat demand. This distinction is important for planning, because expanding solar capacity, unlike expanding fresh water capacity, also requires construction work on the roof (installing additional collectors, connecting them to the piping), which usually has a longer lead time and greater dependence on weather conditions during implementation than the installation of the second station and bracket expansion itself in the plant room.

Why choose an expansion instead of a new complete bracket

If you already have a functioning auroFLOW exclusiv solar charging station on a 1x bracket and plan to expand the solar field with further collectors on their own circuit, this expansion part represents a more economical and practically simpler way than removing the original solution and installing an entirely new 2x bracket. This option corresponds to the philosophy of gradual, demand-driven expansion of the solar system that Vaillant supports throughout the entire allSTOR exclusiv / auroFLOW exclusiv range.

Hydraulic integration of the second solar circuit into the shared storage tank

When connecting two separate solar charging stations to a single allSTOR exclusiv storage tank, the key question is how heat from both circuits is transferred into the tank — whether these are two independent charging points at different height levels of the tank (for example, in the case of different temperature levels of the two solar circuits), or a shared charging point with suitable hydraulic connection. This choice depends on the specific configuration of the solar field, the orientation and tilt of the individual parts of the collectors, and the recommendation of the solar system designer. Correct hydraulic integration of the second circuit is essential so that both stations effectively contribute to the overall heating of the tank without negatively affecting each other (for example, a situation where one station, with a low temperature of the medium being charged, could cool an already heated layer in the tank instead of heating it further).

Benefit of splitting the solar field into two circuits with their own stations

In addition to the already mentioned scenario of a later expansion, there is also a situation where splitting the solar field into two circuits with their own charging stations is deliberately part of the original design — typically with collectors placed on roof surfaces with different orientations (for example, the eastern and western sides of the roof), where each part of the field reaches maximum output at a different time of day. Separate circuits with their own stations allow optimal, independent control of each part of the field, which can result in better use of the available solar energy throughout the day compared to a single shared circuit. This expansion part can therefore be used not only for a later capacity expansion, but also for implementing a system designed this way with a postponed second construction phase.

Ordering and preparation procedure for the expansion

When ordering this expansion part, we recommend having ready the exact model designation of the already existing 1x bracket and installed auroFLOW exclusiv solar station, information about the plan to expand the solar field (number and orientation of the collectors being added), and information about the type and load-bearing capacity of the wall on which the original bracket is installed. This information will allow our sales team or installation company to precisely verify compatibility, add any necessary insulation caps to the order, and prepare a recommendation for hydraulic integration of the second circuit into the already existing storage tank.

Relationship of the expansion to the warranty on the existing solar system

When adding an expansion part to an already functioning solar system, it is important that the installation is carried out by a qualified company following the Vaillant installation manual exactly — an incorrectly performed expansion could jeopardize not only the functionality of the expanded system, but potentially also the warranty coverage of the already existing first station and its original bracket. We therefore recommend entrusting the expansion to the same or a similarly qualified company that carried out the original solar installation, or to a company with proven references in expanding Vaillant solar systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Broader context — gradually building up solar capacity

Expanding solar systems in stages is a common practice, especially in buildings where the investor decides to first verify the real benefit of a solar system on a smaller collector area, and only after confirming the functionality and actual savings decides to expand with further collectors and a corresponding second charging station. This expansion part enables exactly this kind of gradual approach without the need to invest from the start in full cascade capacity, whose actual utilization might not be certain in the first phase of the project.

When planning such a gradual expansion, we recommend already taking into account, during the initial installation of the solar system, the space requirements of a possible future second circuit — that is, leaving sufficient free space on the wall next to the original bracket and considering preparatory routing of additional piping for a future second solar circuit, which will significantly simplify the later implementation of the expansion without extensive intervention in the already functioning system.

When ordering this expansion, we recommend contacting our sales team with an exact description of your existing installation (model designation of the original bracket and station, planned scope of solar field expansion) — we will be happy to help you verify compatibility and prepare a complete order including all necessary additional parts.

We also recommend considering the current condition of the original installation when ordering — if several years have already passed since the initial installation, it is advisable to take the opportunity of the expansion to also carry out a complete inspection of the original solar circuit, including the condition of the heat transfer fluid, circuit pressure, and functionality of the original station, since the service work associated with installing the expansion is a suitable opportunity for such a comprehensive check without the need for a separate future system shutdown.

We recommend scheduling this combined check well in advance of the actual solar field expansion, ideally outside the period of highest sunlight intensity, so that the shutdown of the original circuit during service and installation does not cause an unnecessary loss of usable solar energy during that period.