Now compatible with solar energy, Kilncare kilns are ready to be fired solar.
What this means:
Up until recently, firing kilns backed by solar power has been pretty wasteful and inefficient. Conventional kiln controllers regulate temperature by rapidly switching the heating elements on and off (often multiple times per minute). This fast cycling keeps the kiln stable, but it also causes your photovoltaic system to see sudden, irregular demand spikes. Since solar power generation is smoother and slower to react, this mismatch can lead to wasted solar energy and unnecessary grid draw.
However, with our new photovoltaics-optimized control systems we can adapt the switching cycles. Instead of very short on/off bursts, the controller extends the intervals so the kiln’s power draw matches the slower rhythm of your solar production. That way, the kiln “breathes” in sync with your PV system, maximizing self-consumption of solar electricity and reducing grid reliance.
Linda Rossiter (@GlassArtByLinda) happily presenting the results of her Kilncare Pro-fuser firing
You've got the solar panels, now to get your kiln fired solar:
Firstly, you will need a KCR32CWIFI controller (view here for further information and support manual) with version F6.26 firmware or higher. If you have a KCR32WIFI, version F6.25 can be converted to F6.26, but a controller of F6.24 or less cannot be converted and would need to be replaced with a version F6.25 KCR32CWIFI. The firmware version is displayed on the controller screen when starting up the controller's power.
If you didn't purchase your KCR32CWIFI ready for Solar firing, then the software to convert the controller to Solar ready can be downloaded and transferred via USB or USB sticks can be purchased ready to make the transfer for you.
You don't need a new kiln either; old and new kilns can now be fired solar!
Because all that is required is a controller update or replacement, any of our kilns can be made ready to be solar fired. This means you don’t need to invest in an entirely new kiln to benefit from solar integration. By simply upgrading or swapping the controller, your existing equipment can be adapted to run in harmony with photovoltaic systems, giving you the flexibility to reduce grid reliance, lower energy costs, and make your kiln more sustainable.
Lets talk power:
Getting completely accurate and precise numbers is difficult due to the amount of variables involved (weather, kiln size, firing type, electricity price and the output of your photovoltaic system).
A typical domestic solar system in the UK is around 3–5 kWp (kilowatt‐peak) in installed capacity and on a sunny summer day, can generate about 15–20 kWh on average. On average across the year, this can generate around 10 kWh/day
(These are typical UK numbers, assuming south-facing panels).
So, lets take our most popular glass kiln and our most popular pottery kiln for two examples for you to work off.
Hobbyfuser GEN4 glass fusing kiln:
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Power: 2.5 kW
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Supply: 10‑amp / 230‑V supply on standard UK single phase plug.
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Typical “basic full fuse” firing uses approximately.5.0‑5.2 kWh of energy.
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Because the kiln draws 2.5 kW when running, if you had solar panels delivering 2.5 kW at that moment, you could in principle run the kiln directly off solar for as long as the panel output stays at or above 2.5 kW (and nothing else is drawing power).
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To complete a full fuse cycle (assuming it uses ~5 kWh), the kiln would need to run for roughly 2 hours (excluding when the kiln intermittently turns heat off to control temperature rises and falls).
So, given a “typical” UK solar setup:
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If you have, say, a 4 kWp system, you might get ~3‑4 kW at midday (on a good sunny day). That could be enough to power the kiln and cover some other small loads entirely on solar energy.
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You’d need roughly 2 hours of good solar to complete a full fuse cycle purely on solar (if everything is stable).
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On more overcast days, or outside peak hours, you’d likely need to accept drawing from the grid for part of the firing to assist your solar energy.
4 kWp solar, no battery: Can be purely solar with no backup required - clear sky required, timing is critical, very minimal grid backup possible.
5 kWp solar, no battery: More reliable and can be purely solar with no backup required - clear sky required, timing is critical, very minimal grid backup possible, although less than with 4kWp.
4 kWp + small battery (e.g. ~5 kWh): Very reliable and can be purely solar with no further backup required - more flexible weather requirements, very minimal grid backup possible.
Smaller solar (e.g. 3 kWp): Can be purely solar with no backup required - requires very good sun and clear sky, timing is critical, fire exactly midday, more likely to require minimal grid backup.
Winter / Overcast Day with any moderate system: Will more than likely require grid power as well as solar.
IKON V46 pottery kiln:
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Power: 2.9 kW
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Supply: 12.6 A / 230V on standard UK single phase plug.
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Typical Stoneware firing uses approximately 18kWh of energy.
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Because the kiln draws 2.9kW when running, if you had solar panels delivering 2.9kW at that moment, you could in principle run the kiln directly off solar for as long as the panel output stays at or above 2.9kW (and nothing else is drawing power).
So, given a “typical” UK solar setup:
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If you have, say, a 4 kWp system, generating 15-20kWh on a good sunny day, you could in theory fire an IKON V46 right up to stoneware temperatures purely on solar energy, or at least while using minimal amounts of energy from the grid (more realistic if you are also using energy elsewhere in the house and not landing perfectly on peak hours). A 5kWp or above would be even better though!
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On more overcast days, or outside peak hours, you’d likely need to accept drawing from the grid for parts of the firing to assist your solar energy.
4 kWp solar, no battery: Can be purely solar with no backup required - clear sky required, timing is critical - minimal grid backup likely on most days.
5 kWp (or above) solar, no battery: More reliable and can be purely solar with no backup required - likely doable on many sunny days - minimal grid backup likely on other days.
4 kWp + 10 kWh battery: Can be purely solar with no backup required- store during day, fire in evening - minimal grid backup likely on most days.
Smaller solar (e.g. 3 kWp): Will more than likely require grid power as well as solar regardless of weather and timing.
Winter or overcast day with any moderate system: Will more than likely require grid power as well as solar.
Get your kiln fired solar now!
Get in touch with us or one of our distributers and get yourself a photovoltaics-optimized KCR32CWIFI, no matter the kiln, and experience the incredible energy saving capabilities of your solar fired kiln.
