Novel approach to remote rural heating: Direct coupled photovoltaic electric heater underfloor heating system with phase change materials

Abstract

Limited access to grids and the unavailability of traditional energy sources present significant challenges to effective heating in remote rural. This paper proposes a direct coupled photovoltaic electric heater underfloor heating system with phase change materials (direct coupled PVEH-UFHs), which eliminates the reliance on the power grid or conventional energy sources for heating in remote areas. The model of the direct coupled photovoltaic electric heating system (direct coupled PVEHs) and the building model with PCM floor were created and the accuracy of the direct coupled PVEHs model was verified experimentally. The study proposes using the total heating achievement rate (THAR) as the evaluation index and identifies the critical parameters affecting the system performance through sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that the photovoltaic capacity factor (PVCF), PCMs thickness and melting temperature are the key parameters affecting the heating performance of the system. The recommended 1.4 PVCF and PCM melting temperature of 294 K. The minimum payback time for system configuration that achieves 90 % THAR is 16.2 years. In summary, this paper proposes a design method and evaluation criteria for direct coupled PVEH-UFHs suitable for energy-efficient heating in remote areas.