French startup offers water heater control to boost PV self-consumption
Summary
French startup Ecojoko has introduced a contactor that controls electric water heaters to raise solar self-consumption, with field tests underway since the summer.
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">French startup Ecojoko has introduced a contactor that controls electric water heaters to raise solar self-consumption, with field tests underway since the summer.</span></p><p><strong>From <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.fr/2025/09/25/ecojoko-lance-une-offre-avec-un-contacteur-pour-chauffe-eau-electrique/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pv magazine France</a></strong></p>
<p>French startup Ecojoko is expanding its home energy management offering with a dedicated contactor to control electric water heaters. “The first tests with real users took place this summer, and we accelerated the launch for the <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/08/29/france-to-cut-vat-to-5-5-for-residential-solar-under-9-kw-from-october/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">5.5% VAT reduction</a>,” Pierre Picavet, the company's marketing director, told <strong>pv magazine France</strong>.</p>
<p>Ecojoko's control pack already includes the company's connected assistant with a display, sensors and mobile app to monitor and optimize household energy use. It will soon be paired with a special contactor to control the water heater. “For installation, you need to install both the assistant, as is the case today, and the contactor in the electrical panel,” said Picavet.</p>
<p>The company said the full pack could raise the profitability of a solar installation by about five years by increasing the self-consumption rate while cutting overall use. It noted that 80% of Ecojoko users with solar panels also have an electric water heater.</p>
<p>The system relies on a sensor attached to the main circuit breaker, which records power consumption in real time. The sensor communicates by radio with the assistant in a living room, which shows real-time use by device for household members. The data is also sent to a mobile app, letting users identify consumption points and better manage usage.</p>
<p>Founded in 2017, Ecojoko aims to make electricity consumption visible to reduce avoidable demand and align household use with solar production by shifting loads to daytime.</p>