A comparative study on the application of solar thermal collector and photovoltaic combinations to assist an air source heat pump

Abstract This study investigates the usage of photovoltaic (PV) and thermal collectors separately to assist a heat pump for supplying domestic hot water (DHW). Usage of PV and thermal collectors together to assist a heat pump and experimentally validated simulation of an air source heat pump can be considered as novelty of this study. Firstly, experimental tests were performed in a climatic room to validate the developed simulation model. Four experimental parameters, namely the coefficient of performance of the air source heat pump, average tank temperature, and heat pump inlet and outlet temperatures have been used for the validation and the highest obtained deviation was 4.5%. Simulations were carried out by adding thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels in different combinations, with a maximum of three collectors to assist the heat pump that provides DHW. For scenarios with one and two solar components (PV or thermal), applying only thermal collectors was more efficient and economical for both with a payback of 3.9 years and 4.3 years, respectively. For the scenario with three solar components, although the system supported by one thermal and two photovoltaic collectors was the most efficient option, the system supported by three photovoltaic collectors was the most economical scenario with a payback period of 4.6 years. The study found that combining thermal and photovoltaic collectors can significantly reduce energy consumption for DHW.