As the world races to decarbonise and combat climate change, one of the most pressing challenges is reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for heating. Domestic and commercial heating account for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. In fact heating consumes nearly half of the world’s energy making it the single largest source of energy related greenhouse gas emissions. SolarisKit has developed a new solar hot water solution offering an innovative, scalable, and accessible solution, the SolarisKit HelioFlow solar thermal collector which unlike other products is made flat-packed for global distribution.
The SolarisKit solar collector is the world’s first flat-packed solar thermal collector
But why is the SolarisKit solar collector made flat-packed? What features and benefits does this design offer? And how does it contribute to the urgent global transition toward clean heating?
In this article, we’ll explore the reasoning behind SolarisKit’s flat-pack design, its key advantages, and its role in driving forward sustainable energy adoption across diverse markets.
Why Flat-Packed? The Thinking Behind the Design
SolarisKit’s patented flat-packed design was born from a mission to democratise access to solar heating. Traditional solar thermal systems are often bulky, expensive to transport, and difficult to install, making them inaccessible to remote or low-income regions.
Installation of flat-plate type solar collectors in Rwanda requires multiple technicians due to their awkward shape and weight
To overcome these challenges, SolarisKit reimagined solar thermal technology with a design inspired by the IKEA flat-pack furniture concept—easy to ship, simple to assemble, and highly modular.
The result? A compact, lightweight, and affordable solar thermal collector that can be delivered anywhere in the world—from Edinburgh to a Rwandan village—without the need for costly freight or specialist installation services.
Key Features of the Flat-Packed SolarisKit S200 Solar Collector
The SolarisKit S200 is a solar thermal collector like no other. Engineered for performance and accessibility, its design incorporates several innovative features:
1. Flat-Pack, DIY Assembly
- Shipped in a compact box with all required components.
- Easy to assemble on-site in under 30 minutes with basic tools.
- Reduces carbon emissions and transportation costs.
Watch the SolarisKit HelioFlow step-by-step assembly video on YouTube here.
2. Geometric Prism Design
- The collector’s patented prism shape optimises the capture of solar energy.
- Maximizes surface area exposure throughout the day by passively tracking the sun.
- Easy for a single technician to install, lowering installation costs.
SolarisKit HelioFlow flat-packed solar collector
3. Durable, Weather-Resistant Materials
- Built from UV-stabilized polymers and corrosion-resistant parts.
- Long-lasting even in harsh climates such as deserts or coastal regions.
4. No Moving Parts
- Simplified design reduces maintenance.
- Improves reliability and extends lifespan.
5. Scalable and Modular
- Can be used as a standalone unit or in arrays for larger applications.
- Ideal for domestic hot water, preheating, and even hot tubs.
SolarisKit solar collectors are combined to provide more hot water making it suitable for a wide range of applications
Benefits of Flat-Pack Solar Heating Technology
The flat-pack design is more than just a convenience—it delivers a range of real-world benefits for users, businesses, NGOs, and governments alike.
1. Low-Cost Global Distribution
Shipping solar thermal systems has historically been expensive. Flat-packing SolarisKit collectors allows them to be stacked efficiently, shipped cheaply, and deployed globally—from urban areas to off-grid communities.
SolarisKit flat-packed solar collectors stacked on pallet
2. Increased Accessibility and Inclusion
By removing the need for professional installation and reducing logistics costs, SolarisKit opens up access to clean heating for underserved populations who would otherwise be excluded from the solar transition.
3. Local Job Creation
Because the SolarisKit can be assembled and installed locally, it creates job opportunities in renewable energy—supporting economic growth while accelerating the clean energy transition.
4. Rapid Emergency and Development Deployment
In disaster relief and development aid scenarios, SolarisKit’s flat-pack units can be airlifted and deployed quickly to provide hot water and sanitation in field hospitals, refugee camps, and emergency shelters.
5. Lower Environmental Footprint
The flat-pack design reduces emissions during transport, waste from packaging, and the need for carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. It supports a more circular, sustainable approach to product life cycles.
Accelerating the Global Shift to Clean Heating
As the world races toward net-zero emissions, decarbonising heat is one of the toughest challenges. Fossil fuels still dominate heating in homes, businesses, and industries around the world.
The SolarisKit flat-packed solar collector is one piece of the puzzle. Here’s how it contributes to the broader clean energy transition:
1. Enabling Solar Thermal Access in the Global South
Many developing countries experience abundant sunlight but lack infrastructure for clean heating. The SolarisKit solution is low cost and easy to deploy making it ideal for hot climates and low-income regions, where reliance on wood, charcoal, or diesel is still high.
2. Supporting Net-Zero Housing and Eco-Friendly Retrofits
The SolarisKit solution is perfect for retrofit projects looking to reduce energy bills and emissions. It complements other renewable technologies like solar PV and heat pumps, forming part of an integrated clean energy system for homes and buildings.
3. Complementing Grid-Independent Living
As more people move toward off-grid living, SolarisKit enables sustainable water heating substantially reducing the need for electricity or gas connections.
4. Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels for Leisure and Lifestyle Applications
The growing demand for hot tubs, glamping, and eco-tourism presents new opportunities for clean heating. The SolarisKit is a clean and cost-effective solution for these growing markets, offering low-carbon luxury experiences.
Recognition and Impact
SolarisKit’s innovation has not gone unnoticed. The company has received international recognition and support from clean energy accelerators and climate innovation platforms such as the EIT Climate KIC programme, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Innovate UK. Its technology is already being deployed in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, where it is making a tangible difference in reducing energy poverty and carbon emissions. Recently SolarisKit were winners of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Innovation competition highlighting the solutions relevance in the middle east.
By removing traditional barriers to solar thermal adoption, SolarisKit is helping communities leapfrog fossil fuels and move directly into a clean heating future.
Conclusion
Our goal developing a flat-packed solar collector was not to just develop an innovative product—but create a catalyst for change. By embracing a flat-packed design, SolarisKit has made solar heating more accessible, affordable, and scalable for a global audience.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to reduce your energy bills, an NGO delivering sustainable solutions in remote communities, or a government seeking to achieve climate targets, SolarisKit can provide a practical, proven, and planet-friendly solution.
With climate urgency growing by the day, the world needs scalable technologies that work everywhere for everyone. The flat-packed SolarisKit solar collector is leading the way in delivering clean, low-cost heating where it’s needed most—one box at a time.
Keywords: flat-pack solar collector, SolarisKit solar collector, clean heating solution, solar thermal innovation, solar water heater, sustainable heating, solar hot water, flat-packed solar heater, off-grid solar heating, low-cost solar thermal, global clean energy transition
