Italy's Clivet launches inverter-free PV VRF heat pump with 90 kW capacity

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Italian heat pump manufacturer Clivet has launched a new series of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) outdoor units for residential and commercial applications, which can be directly integrated with photovoltaic systems without the need for a conventional PV inverter.

The new CVT9 series is based on the company's V9 platform, and Clivet states that the series is fully compatible with the indoor units and controllers of the previous V8 generation.

The series includes five single-module models with cooling capacities of 25.2 kW, 28 kW, 33.5 kW, 40 kW, and 45 kW, respectively. Two modules can be combined to provide capacities ranging from 50 kW to 90 kW. The maximum configuration delivers a nominal heating capacity of 90 kW and a maximum heating capacity of up to 100 kW.

The units use difluoromethane (R32) refrigerant and measure 940 mm × 1,760 mm × 840 mm, with weights of either 207 kg or 224 kg depending on capacity.

Integrated PV management is one of the key features, allowing grid power consumption to be regulated from 0% to 100% based on the power generated by the PV array. According to the manufacturer, the system provides stable DC power at variable voltages from 400 V to 600 V via the PV Box, eliminating the need for a PV inverter. A Smart Monitoring Box connected to the outdoor unit measures power consumption. Clivet states that the integrated PV control system is scheduled for launch in 2027.

The CVT9 units are equipped with DC inverter compressors featuring enhanced vapor injection (EVI) and auxiliary microchannel heat exchangers. Clivet claims that this configuration enables operation at outdoor temperatures as low as -30°C while maintaining nominal heating capacity at -5°C. The compressor can modulate down to 7% capacity, helping to improve efficiency under partial load conditions.

The units operate within a temperature range of -15°C to 55°C in cooling mode and -30°C to 30°C in heating mode. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of the five individual outdoor units ranges from 8.00 to 8.58, while the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) ranges from 4.78 to 4.89.

In dual-module configurations, the SEER ranges from 8.01 to 8.53 and the SCOP from 4.82 to 4.93, with these values calculated in accordance with the EN 14825 standard. The airflow rate ranges from 12,600 m³/h to 15,800 m³/h, and the sound power level ranges from 78 dB(A) to 85 dB(A). The units operate on a three-phase 380 V to 415 V, 50 Hz power supply and can provide external static pressure of up to 120 Pa.

The electronic components are enclosed in Clivet's SafeBox2 system, which the manufacturer claims offers corrosion, sand, and moisture protection equivalent to IP68 rating. The circuit boards are cooled via the refrigerant circuit, maintaining an operating temperature of approximately 30°C.

Additional features include an integrated digital ammeter for real-time power consumption monitoring, Modbus RTU connectivity for building management system integration, and a Bluetooth diagnostic module with a USB Type-C port.

For installations with limited electrical capacity, the units offer 60 capacity limit settings, adjustable in 1% increments from 40% to 100%, which can be activated via a central controller or dry contacts.

In dual-module configurations, if one outdoor unit triggers an alarm, the system can automatically redistribute the load and can also alternate operating hours between modules to balance usage intensity and extend equipment lifespan.