Performance Enhancement of a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal System Coupled with an Air Source Heat Pump

Edward Vuong, Alan S. Fung () and Rakesh Kumar
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Edward Vuong: Construction Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
Alan S. Fung: Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Rakesh Kumar: Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada

Energies, 2024, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-32

Abstract: This study explores the improvement of building integrated photovoltaic–thermal (BIPV/T) systems and their integration with air source heat pumps (ASHPs). The BIPV/T collector needs a method to effectively extract the heat it collects, while ASHP can boost their efficiency utilizing preheated air from the BIPV/T collectors. Combining these two systems presents a valuable opportunity to enhance their performance. This paper discusses technological improvements and integration through a comprehensive modelling analysis. Two versions of the BIPV/T systems were assessed using a modified version of EnergyPlus V8.0, a building energy simulation program. This study involved sensitivity analysis of the internal channel surface and cover emissivity parameters of the opaque BIPV/T (OBIPV/T), transparent BIPV/T (TBIPV/T), and building-integrated solar air heater collectors (BISAHs). Various arrangements of the collectors were also studied. A BIPV/T-BISAH array design was selected based on the analysis, and its integration with a net-zero energy house. The BIPV/T-BISAH coupled ASHP system decreased space heating electricity consumption by 6.5% for a net-zero house. These modest savings are mainly attributed to the passive design of the houses, which reduced heating loads during sunny hours/days.

Keywords: building integrated photovoltaic–thermal; solar air heater; air source heat pump; EnergyPlus modelling; thermal energy; sustainable house (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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