Inverter‑Free PV Heat Pumps Boost Efficiency

Quick Take: Clivet’s new CVT9 VRF units can run directly on 400‑600 V DC from solar panels, cutting out the traditional PV inverter and delivering up to SEER 8.58 and SCOP 4.93.

Clivet, the Italian arm of China’s Midea Group, recently unveiled its CVT9 variable‑refrigerant‑flow (VRF) outdoor units. The range spans five single‑module models (25.2 kW‑45 kW) and can be paired in two‑module configurations for a massive 90 kW nominal heating capacity. What sets the CVT9 apart is an integrated PV‑management box that accepts 400‑600 V DC directly from a solar array, eliminating the need for a separate grid‑tied inverter.

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How Inverter‑Free PV Integration Works – the first 1‑2 sentences answer the question

The CVT9’s built‑in PV Box converts the variable‑voltage DC from rooftop panels into a stable supply for the heat‑pump’s DC‑inverter compressors, allowing the unit to modulate its power draw from 0 % to 100 % in step with solar production.

Clivet’s engineers designed the PV Box to handle 400‑600 V DC, the typical voltage range of commercial‑scale solar strings. A Smart Monitoring Box measures real‑time consumption and feeds the data to the unit’s controller, which then throttles the compressor speed via a DC‑inverter. Because the compressors already run on DC, the system avoids the double‑conversion loss (DC→AC→DC) that a conventional inverter‑based setup incurs, leading to a smoother, more efficient power flow.

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Performance Specs – direct answer first

Clivet reports seasonal energy efficiency ratios (SEER) from 8.00 to 8.58 and seasonal coefficients of performance (SCOP) from 4.78 to 4.93, placing the CVT9 among the most efficient VRF heat pumps on the market.

Model	Cooling Capacity (kW)	Heating Capacity (kW)
CVT9‑25	25.2	27.5
CVT9‑28	28.0	30.5
CVT9‑34	33.5	36.0
CVT9‑40	40.0	43.0
CVT9‑45	45.0	48.5

All models fall within the SEER and SCOP ranges noted above. Two‑module setups (e.g., 45 kW + 45 kW) deliver up to 90 kW nominal heating and up to 100 kW peak heating. The compressors can modulate down to 7 % of rated capacity, preserving efficiency during partial‑load operation. Airflow ranges from 12,600 m³/h to 15,800 m³/h, and sound power stays between 78 dB(A) and 85 dB(A).

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Why the Integrated PV Box Matters for Building Owners – answer first

By removing the conventional PV inverter, owners can avoid the additional hardware cost and enjoy a more compact installation that can be retrofitted onto existing rooftops.

The PV Box also offers 60 capacity‑limiting settings (40 %‑100 % in 1 % steps), letting facilities match their electrical envelope or respond to demand‑response signals without extra equipment. The built‑in digital ammeter, Modbus RTU connectivity, and Bluetooth‑USB diagnostics make it easy to integrate the unit into building‑management systems (BMS) for real‑time monitoring and automated load shifting.

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What It Means for Israel – direct answer first

For a typical commercial rooftop in central Israel, a 90 kW CVT9 paired with a 90 kW solar array would generate ≈153 MWh per year (90 kW × 1,700 kWh/kW ≈ 153,000 kWh). At the current commercial feed‑in tariff of ₪0.41/kWh, that translates to ≈₪62,730 of annual revenue.

Using the verified Israeli cost of ₪2,200 per kW for commercial turnkey installations, the total capex would be ≈₪198,000. Simple payback = cost ÷ annual revenue ≈ 3.2 years, well within the 25‑year design life of the equipment. After payback, the system continues to deliver clean heating and cooling while avoiding ≈76.5 tonnes of CO₂ each year (0.5 kg CO₂ per kWh × 153,000 kWh).

For residential owners, a 10 kW system paired with a 10 kW CVT9 would produce roughly 17,000 kWh per year, worth about ₪8,160 at the typical residential tariff of ₪0.48/kWh. With an installation cost of about ₪31,500 (₪3,150/kW), the simple payback period is roughly 3.9 years.

These figures illustrate how Clivet’s inverter‑free VRF solution can help Israel move toward its 30 % renewable electricity target for 2030 by making solar‑plus‑heat‑pump projects financially attractive without the extra inverter cost.

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Outlook – answer first

Clivet plans to roll out the integrated PV control feature in 2027, giving early adopters a few years to test the hardware before the smart‑grid‑ready version arrives.

Industry observers suggest that inverter‑free heat‑pump designs could become a key enabler for net‑zero building retrofits across Europe and the Middle East, especially where space for additional inverters is limited. As Israel’s grid modernises and demand‑response programs expand, the ability to directly match solar output to HVAC load could become a regulatory advantage, positioning the CVT9 as a flagship product for future‑proof commercial and residential projects.

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