Performance analysis and optimization of a solar assisted heat pump concept

Abstract

Solar-assisted heat pumps have become a popular choice for efficient and environmentally-friendly heating and hot water production. This article introduces a unique concept of integrating a solar thermal facade into buildings to provide the cold source for a heat pump, which is a novel approach compared to other available solutions. While accurate sizing is crucial for efficient system operation, evaluating the potential benefits of better control strategies is also important because these strategies can bring significant benefits to the system. However, at present, there is a shortage of tools that can facilitate accurate sizing and effective evaluation of various control strategies for such systems. This article explores the benefits and challenges associated with this innovative technology, highlighting the need for developing models with a good representation of the system behavior and accurate performance estimation. A parametric study will be conducting on the principal components sizing for various climates in France. The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the installation’s potential performance, with the optimization of sizing and control strategies to be performed at a later stage.