Features of the Panasonic household fuel cell

The 2013 model fuel cell has the following features.

• World's highest ^(*1) total efficiency
  The 2013 model household fuel cell achieved the 95% rated total efficiency (LHV), the optimized electric output and the extended operating life and provides high-level environmental performance.
• Significantly reduced price
  Reduction in the number of components and optimization of core device materials have enabled a more affordable price.
• Improved ease of installation with new unit configuration
  We enabled installation flexible to our customers’ various installation conditions with a reduction in the depth required for installation and the new unit configuration.
• Industry's first remote controller with a color display as standard
  With the adoption of a color display, which is 1.6 times larger than that of the previous model, text and graphs are more easily visible.

Achieved the world's highest ^(*1) total efficiency

§ Achieved the rated total efficiency of 95.0% LHV (85.8% HHV)

• Rated electricity generation efficiency of 39% LHV (35.2% HHV)
• Rated heat recovery efficiency of 56% LHV (50.6% HHV)

The rated total efficiency of 95.0% LHV is 5% higher than the 2011 model. In the medium electric output range of 500 W, high total efficiency of 91.0% or more has been achieved.

§ Extended operating life by 20%
The durability of the 2013 model in terms of operating life is 60,000 hours, up from 50,000 hours with the 2011 model. The new model can generate electricity for longer hours.

§ Optimized electric output
The lower electric output limit of the new model is set to 200 W, 20% less than the previous model in view of the decrease in standby power consumption of home appliances resulting from the spread of energy-efficient models. This enables households with low electricity demand to use the new model.

More affordable with significantly reduced price

The price of the 2013 model is down by approx. 760,000 yen ^(*2) from the 2011 model, making household fuel cells more affordable.

§ Simplified fuel cell unit system

• Number of components: Reduced by approx. 20% from the previous model
• Weight: Reduced by 10% from the previous model

§ Optimized core device materials

• Stack: Reduced platinum catalyst by 50% from the previous model.
• Fuel processor: Use 50% less noble metal in the selective oxidation catalyst than the previous model.

Improved ease of installation with new unit configuration

The 2013 model is flexible to various installation spaces with its new unit configuration, where the backup boiler is separated from the hot water storage unit.

§ Reduced depth required for installation

• Reduced the standard installation depth from 900 mm to 750 mm, including the maintenance space.

§ Freer installation resulting from the separation of the backup boiler from the hot water storage unit

The 2013 model is flexible to various installation conditions with improved installation freedom enabled by the separation of the backup boiler. It is also possible to separate the fuel cell unit and the hot water storage unit, or change their directions as necessary. This allows installation in single-family homes in urban areas, where installation space is limited for securing room for windows or air-conditioner outdoor units. (Pipes between each unit can be extended up to 8 m.)

Selectable backup boiler models^(*3)

In accordance with the functions required by households where the fuel cell is to be installed, you can select a backup boiler from four models depending on whether or not the water heating function is required for air heating or the installation space is limited.

Room heating, water reheating and hot water supply

Room heating performance: 17.4 ( kW )

Room heating, water reheating and hot water supply

Room heating performance: 11.6 ( kW )

Room heating, water reheating and hot water supply

Room heating performance: 11.6 ( kW )

Water reheating and hot water supply

Industry's first remote controller with a color display as standard

The household fuel cell remote controller comes with a color display, a first in our industry.

A large 4.3-inch color display is used for both kitchen and bathroom remote controllers (resolution: 130,560 dots).

The number of dots per unit area of the kitchen and the bathroom remote controllers is 2.7 times and 7.6 times respectively compared to those of the previous model. Fuel cell electricity generation result graphs and images are displayed at higher resolution.

Display of eco contribution information such as electricity generation of the entire house, including the solar power generation system

Remote controllers for the 2013 model not only display electricity generation results of the fuel cell but also the solar power generation system. You can monitor the whole electricity status, including electricity generation of the fuel cell and the solar power generation system, and electricity buying and selling.

* Separate work is required to display data of the solar power generation system.

By simply pressing the "" switch at the bottom of the remote controller, you can monitor the day’s electricity generation results of the fuel cell and the solar power generation system along with other eco contributions, which encourages actions to conserve electricity and other energy sources.