Solar Hot Water for Communities & Apartments

One container. One investment. Lower bills for every resident.

The Aurora Skid brings centralised solar hot water to multi‑family buildings, housing cooperatives, and small villages. No individual roof work, no complicated permits — just a single container on common ground.

Why Communities Choose Aurora Skid

Shared savings — one system serves 20‑100+ apartments
No roof access needed — container sits on parking or green space
Eligible for grants — many EU countries subsidise community renewable heat
Low maintenance — one caretaker can manage it
Reduces CO₂ — tangible green credential for the whole community

Typical Hot Water Demand — Apartments

Per person per day: 55 litres of 60°C hot water.

Per apartment (two residents): 110 litres per day.
Per apartment (four residents, e.g., family): 220 litres per day.

Demand profile for a 50‑apartment building (150 residents):

Morning peak (7:00‑9:00): 40% of daily demand
Evening peak (18:00‑21:00): 45% of daily demand
Off‑peak: 15%

Total daily hot water (60°C): 150 × 55 L = 8,250 litres.

Sizing Guide — Communities

Small community (10‑15 apartments / 30‑50 residents)

Daily hot water: 1,500‑2,500 litres
Collectors: 10‑15
Buffer tank: 1500‑2000 litres
Container: 20ft

Medium community (20‑30 apartments / 60‑100 residents)

Daily hot water: 3,000‑5,000 litres
Collectors: 20‑35
Buffer tank: 3000‑5000 litres
Container: 40ft

Large community (40‑60 apartments / 120‑180 residents)

Daily hot water: 6,500‑10,000 litres
Collectors: 45‑70
Buffer tank: two 3000 litre tanks
Container: two 20ft or one 40ft plus external tank

Very large community (80‑120 apartments / 250‑400 residents)

Daily hot water: 14,000‑22,000 litres
Collectors: 90‑150
Buffer tank: four 3000 litre tanks
Container: multiple 20ft or 40ft

For buildings with laundry rooms or communal kitchens, add 20% more collectors.

How It Works

Evacuated tube collectors on a ground frame capture sunlight
Hot water flows into a large buffer tank (or multiple tanks) inside the container
A circulation pump sends hot water through the building's existing pipes to each apartment
An electric backup heater or connection to district heating ensures continuous supply
Optional: individual hot water meters for each apartment (for billing)

Savings Example — 50‑Apartment Building (Italy)

Assumptions: 150 residents, 8,250 litres per day. Current gas boiler (80% efficient, gas €0.15/kWh). Solar system provides 70% of heat, electric backup €0.20/kWh.

Without Aurora Skid: Annual gas use 95,000 kWh → cost €14,250

With Aurora Skid: Annual backup electric 28,000 kWh → cost €5,600

Annual saving: €8,650
System cost (installed, 40ft container, 35 collectors, 5000 litre tank): ~€35,000
Payback: 4 years

With a grant covering 30%, payback drops to under 3 years.

Funding Opportunities for Communities

Many European programs support community renewable heat:

Italy — Ecobonus 65% tax deduction for condominium solar
France — Fonds Chaleur (heat fund) for collective solar
Germany — BEG funding (up to 40% grant)
Spain — NextGenerationEU grants for community energy
Netherlands — ISDE subsidy for solar thermal

We help you identify and apply for relevant grants — ask us.

FAQ — Communities & Apartments

Q: Who owns the Aurora Skid — the residents or the building owner?
A: Either. Some housing cooperatives buy it collectively. Others are installed by the building owner who then sells hot water to residents.

Q: Can each apartment have its own hot water meter?
A: Yes. The system can be configured with a manifold and individual meters for fair billing.

Q: What if the building has no space for a ground frame?
A: We can mount collectors on a flat roof or carport structure. The container still sits on ground level.

Q: Is the system noisy?
A: No. Pumps produce a low hum (similar to a fridge). The container can be placed away from bedrooms.

Q: Can we add more apartments later?
A: Yes — the system is modular. You can add another container and more collectors as your community grows.

Q: How do we apply for grants?
A: We provide a grant eligibility report and can connect you with local energy agencies.

Ready to bring affordable solar hot water to your community?
Contact us for a free feasibility study, grant advice, and a quote.

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