Exergy analysis of a solar PV/T heat pump system based on ground-level solar radiation

Yuhang Han, Lejun Feng, Zhihao Fu, Jun Sui, Hao Feng and Huijin Qian

Energy, 2025, vol. 341, issue C

Abstract: This study develops an exergy analysis model for a solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) heat pump system and a reference system, based on the exergy of ground-level solar radiation. The model identifies the components with the highest irreversibility and assesses the impact of environmental factors—including solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed—on system performance. Results indicate that the PV/T heat pump system exhibits lower exergy destruction across all components compared to the reference system. In particular, the evaporator achieves a 49.24 % reduction in exergy destruction, marking the most significant improvement. However, the PV/T or PV modules remain the primary sources of irreversibility due to their substantial exergy destruction. Under varying environmental conditions, the PV/T heat pump system consistently outperforms the reference system in both energy efficiency and land-use effectiveness. Notably, this spatial advantage becomes more pronounced under high irradiance. Both lower ambient temperatures and higher condensing temperatures negatively affect both system efficiency and the coefficient of performance (COP). When the ambient temperature drops below 21.78 °C or the condensing temperature exceeds 62.27 °C, the net power generation efficiency and electricity-to-heat ratio become negative, indicating that photovoltaic output is insufficient to meet the compressor's power demand. Wind speed has a comparatively minor effect on system performance. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the optimized design and efficient operation of solar PV/T heat pump systems.

Keywords: Solar energy; Radiation exergy; Heat pump; Exergy analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225051242

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139482

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