View source for Solar-assisted heat pump

[[File:SAHP - PVT Panels.jpg|thumb|Hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar panels of a SAHP in an experimental installation at Department of Energy at [[Polytechnic University of Milan|Polytechnic of Milan]]|500px]]

A '''solar-assisted heat pump''' ('''SAHP''') is a machine that combines a [[heat pump]] and [[Solar thermal collector|thermal solar panels]] and/or [[Solar panel|PV solar panels]] in a single integrated system.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sezen |first=Kutbay |last2=Gungor |first2=Afsin |date=2023-01-01 |title=Comparison of solar assisted heat pump systems for heating residences: A review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X22008714 |journal=Solar Energy |volume=249 |pages=424–445 |doi=10.1016/j.solener.2022.11.051 |issn=0038-092X |quote=Photovoltaic-thermal direct expansion solar assisted heat pump (PV/T-DX-SAHP) system enables to benefit the waste heat for evaporation of refrigerant in PV/T collector-evaporator, while providing better cooling for PV cells (Yao et al., 2020).}}</ref> Typically these two technologies are used separately (or only placing them in parallel) to produce [[Water heating|hot water]].<ref name = ref1>{{cite web | url = http://www.bine.info/en/publications/themeninfos/publikation/elektrisch-angetriebene-waermepumpen/waermepumpen-plus-solar/ | title = Solar-assisted heat pumps | language = en | access-date = 21 June 2016 | archive-date = 28 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200228222214/http://www.bine.info/en/publications/themeninfos/publikation/elektrisch-angetriebene-waermepumpen/waermepumpen-plus-solar/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> In this system the solar thermal panel performs the function of the low temperature heat source and the heat produced is used to feed the heat pump's evaporator.<ref name=ref2>{{cite web | url = http://www.climatizzazioneconfontirinnovabili.enea.it/index.php/pompe-di-calore-elioassistite | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120107065814/http://climatizzazioneconfontirinnovabili.enea.it/index.php/pompe-di-calore-elioassistite | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 January 2012 | title = Pompe di calore elio-assistite | language = it | access-date = 21 June 2016 }}</ref> The goal of this system is to get high [[Coefficient of performance|COP]] and then produce energy in a more [[Energy conversion efficiency|efficient]] and less expensive way.

It is possible to use any type of solar thermal panel (sheet and tubes, roll-bond, heat pipe, thermal plates) or [[Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector|hybrid]] ([[Mono-crystalline silicon|mono]]/[[Polycrystalline silicon|polycrystalline]], [[Thin-film solar cell|thin film]]) in combination with the heat pump. The use of a hybrid panel is preferable because it allows covering a part of the electricity demand of the heat pump and reduce the power consumption and consequently the [[variable cost]]s of the system.

== Optimization ==
The operating conditions' optimization of this system is the main problem, because there are two opposing trends of the performance of the two sub-systems: by way of example, decreasing the evaporation temperature of the [[Refrigerant|working fluid]] increases the [[thermal efficiency]] of the solar panel but decreases the performance of the heat pump, and consequently the COP.<ref name = ref3>{{cite web| url = https://www.politesi.polimi.it/bitstream/10589/15682/1/SISTEMI%20A%20POMPA%20DI%20CALORE%20ELIOASSISTITA%20MODELLO%20DI%20SIMULAZIONE%20IN%20AMBIENTE%20TRNSYS%20E%20CONFRONTO%20ENERGETICO%20DI%20CONFIGURAZIONI%20IMPIANTISTICHE-%20FLOREANO%20STEFANO%20LUIGI%2cFALLINI%20NICOLA.pdf | title = Sistemi a pompa di calore elioassistita: modello di simulazione in ambiente TRNSYS e confronto energetico di configurazioni impiantistiche | author = Nicola Fallini | author2 = Stefano Luigi Floreano | language = it | date =  31 March 2011 | access-date = 21 June 2016}}</ref> The target for the optimization is normally the minimization of the electrical consumption of the heat pump, or [[primary energy]] required by an [[Boiler|auxiliary boiler]] which supplies the load not covered by [[Renewable energy|renewable source]].

== Configurations ==
There are two possible configurations of this system, which are distinguished by the presence or not of an intermediate fluid that transports the heat from the panel to the heat pump. Machines called indirect-
expansion mainly use [[water]] as a heat transfer fluid, mixed with an antifreeze fluid (usually [[Ethylene glycol|glycol]]) to avoid [[ice]] formation phenomena during winter period. The machines called direct-expansion place the refrigerant fluid directly inside the hydraulic circuit of the thermal panel, where the [[phase transition]] takes place.<ref name = ref3 /> This second configuration, even though it is more complex from a technical point of view, has several advantages:<ref name = ref4>{{cite journal | last1 = Jie | first1 = Jia | last2 = Hanfeng | first2 = Hea | last3 = Tin-tai | first3 = Chowb | last4 = Gang | first4 = Peia | last5 = Wei | first5 = Hea | last6 = Keliang | first6 = Liua | year = 2009 | title = Distributed dynamic modeling and experimental study of PV evaporator in a PV/T solar-assisted heat pump | journal = International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer | volume = 52 | issue = 5–6 | pages = 1365–1373 | doi=10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2008.08.017}}</ref><ref name = ref5>{{cite journal | last1 = Jie | first1 = Jia | last2 = Gang | first2 = Peia | last3 = Tin-tai | first3 = Chowb | last4 = Keliang | first4 = Liua | last5 = Hanfeng | first5 = Hea | last6 = Jianping | first6 = Lua | last7 = Chongwei | first7 = Hana | year = 2007 | title = Experimental study of photovoltaic solar assisted heat pump system | journal = Solar Energy | volume = 82 | issue = 1 | pages = 43–52 | doi=10.1016/j.solener.2007.04.006| bibcode = 2008SoEn...82...43J }}</ref>

* a better transfer of the heat produced by the thermal panel to the working fluid which involves a greater thermal efficiency of the evaporator, linked to the absence of an intermediate fluid;
* presence of an evaporating fluid allows a uniform temperature distribution in the thermal panel with a consequent increase in the thermal efficiency (in normal operating conditions of the solar panel, the local thermal efficiency decreases from inlet to outlet of the fluid because the fluid temperature increases);
* using hybrid solar panel, in addition to the advantage described in the previous point, the [[Photovoltaics#Efficiency|electrical efficiency]] of the panel increases (for similar considerations).

== Comparison ==
Generally speaking the use of this integrated system is an efficient way to employ the heat produced by the thermal panels in winter period, something that normally wouldn't be exploited because its temperature is too low.<ref name = ref2 />

=== Separated production systems ===
In comparison with only heat pump utilization, it is possible to reduce the amount of electrical energy consumed by the machine during the weather evolution from winter season to the spring, and then finally only use thermal solar panels to produce all the heat demand required (only in case of indirect-expansion machine), thus saving on variable costs.<ref name = ref1 />

In comparison with a system with only thermal panels, it is possible to provide a greater part of the required winter heating using a non-fossil energy source.<ref name = ref6>{{cite journal | last1 = Kuang | first1 = Y.H. | last2 = Wang | first2 = R.Z. | year = 2006 | title = Performance of a multi-functional direct-expansion solar assisted heat pump system | journal = Solar Energy | volume = 80 | issue = 7 | pages = 795–803 | doi=10.1016/j.solener.2005.06.003| bibcode = 2006SoEn...80..795K }}</ref>

=== Traditional heat pumps ===
Compared to [[geothermal heat pump]]s, the main advantage is that the installation of a piping field in the soil is not required, which results in a lower cost of investment (drilling accounts for about 50% of the cost of a geothermal heat pump system) and in more flexibility of machine installation, even in areas in which there is limited available space. Furthermore, there are no risks related to possible thermal soil impoverishment.<ref name = ref7>{{cite book | first = Attilio | last = Carotti | title = Edifici a elevate prestazioni energetiche e acustiche. Energy management | language = it | year = 2014 | editor = WOLTERS KLUWER ITALIA}}</ref>

Similarly to [[air source heat pumps]], solar-assisted heat pump performance is affected by atmospheric conditions, although this effect is less significant.  Solar-assisted heat pump performance is generally affected by varying [[Solar irradiance|solar radiation]] intensity rather than [[Atmospheric temperature|air temperature]] oscillation. This produces a greater SCOP (Seasonal COP). Additionally, evaporation temperature of the working fluid is higher than in air source heat pumps, so in general the coefficient of performance is significantly higher.<ref name = ref4 />

== Low temperature conditions ==
In general, a heat pump can evaporate at temperatures below the ambient temperature. In a solar-assisted heat pump this generates a temperature distribution of the thermal panels below that temperature. In this condition thermal losses of the panels towards the environment become additional available energy to the heat pump.<ref name = ref8>{{cite journal | last1 = Huang | first1 = B.J. | last2 = Chyng | first2 = J.P. | year = 2001 | title = Performance characteristics of integral type solar-assisted heat pump | journal = Solar Energy | volume = 71 | issue = 6 | pages = 403–414 | doi=10.1016/S0038-092X(01)00076-7| bibcode = 2001SoEn...71..403H | url = http://ntur.lib.ntu.edu.tw/bitstream/246246/86580/1/68.pdf }}</ref><ref name = ref9>{{cite web | url = http://www.solaretermodinamico.info/thermboil.php | title = Thermboil - Pannelli termodinamici | language = it | access-date = 21 June 2016 | archive-date = 15 June 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160615042916/http://www.solaretermodinamico.info/thermboil.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> In this case it is possible that the thermal efficiency of solar panels is more than 100%.

Another free-contribution in these conditions of low temperature is related to the possibility of [[condensation]] of water vapor on the surface of the panels, which provides additional heat to the heat transfer fluid (normally it is a small part of the total heat collected by solar panels), that is equal to the [[latent heat]] of condensation.

== Heat pump with double cold sources ==
The simple configuration of solar-assisted heat pump as only solar panels as heat source for the evaporator. It can also exist a configuration with an additional heat source.<ref name = ref1 /> The goal is to have further advantages in energy saving but, on the other hand, the management and optimization of the system become more complex.

The geothermal-solar configuration allows reducing the size of the piping field (and reduce the investment) and to have a regeneration of the ground during summer through the heat collected from the thermal panels.

The air-solar structure allows an acceptable heat input also during cloudy days, maintaining the compactness of the system and the easiness to install it.

== Challenges ==
As in regular air conditioners, one of the issues is to keep the evaporation temperature high, especially when the sunlight has low power and the ambient airflow is low.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Energy|Engineering}}
* [[Renewable energy]]
* [[Renewable heat]]
* [[Heat pump]]
* [[Geothermal heat pump]]
* [[Heat pump and refrigeration cycle|Refrigeration cycle]]
* [[Solar panel]]
* [[Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector]]
* [[Solar thermal collector]]
* [[Energy conversion efficiency]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links==
* {{cite web | url = http://www.bine.info/en/publications/themeninfos/publikation/elektrisch-angetriebene-waermepumpen/waermepumpen-plus-solar/ | title = Solar-assisted heat pumps | language = en | access-date = 21 June 2016 | archive-date = 28 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200228222214/http://www.bine.info/en/publications/themeninfos/publikation/elektrisch-angetriebene-waermepumpen/waermepumpen-plus-solar/ | url-status = dead }}
* {{cite web | url = http://www.climatizzazioneconfontirinnovabili.enea.it/index.php/pompe-di-calore-elioassistite | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120107065814/http://climatizzazioneconfontirinnovabili.enea.it/index.php/pompe-di-calore-elioassistite | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 January 2012 | title = Pompe di calore elio-assistite | language = it | access-date = 21 June 2016 }}
* {{cite web | url = http://www.gse.it/it/EnergiaFacile/guide/Caldoefreddo/Pompedicalore/Pages/default.aspx | title = Pompe di calore | language = it | access-date = 21 June 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160611074443/http://www.gse.it/it/EnergiaFacile/guide/Caldoefreddo/Pompedicalore/Pages/default.aspx | archive-date = 11 June 2016 }}

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[[Category:Heat pumps]]
[[Category:Building engineering]]
[[Category:Energy conversion]]
[[Category:Energy recovery]]
[[Category:Energy technology]]