Design and performance monitoring of a novel photovoltaic-thermal solar-assisted heat pump system for residential applications

In the broader discussion regarding the so-called decarbonisation pathway, the deployment of solar-assisted heat pumps is widely accepted as a preferential strategy to be pursued in the residential sector. In this respect, hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) technology is very interesting, since it allows designing innovative and economical viable solar-assisted heat pumps. The present paper contributes to the present-day discussion by proposing a novel solar-assisted multifunctional heat pump. The proposed system is designed to satisfy a single-family household's heating/cooling/domestic hot water (DHW) requirement. In particular, the proposed system represents an advance on studies conducted in previous years and is based on the integration of innovative PVT collectors (specifically designed for the present application), storage tanks (to decouple the “supply-side” and the “demand-side”) and a customized multisource heat pump. The results of the 8-months field monitoring are presented and discussed, demonstrating that the proposed system allows enhancing the electrical and thermal efficiency of PVT collectors, maximising the heat pump's seasonal performance, and reducing the electricity exchange with the grid. In conclusion, the proposed system represents a practical response to the need to achieve the total decarbonisation of the residential sector.