Investigation of a Novel Solar Assisted Water Heating System with Enhanced Energy Yield for Buildings

Abstract

This paper presented the concept, prototype application, operational performance and benefits relating to a novel solar assisted water heating system for building services. It was undertaken through dedicated theoretical analysis, computer simulation and experimental verification. The unique characteristic of such system consists in the integrated loop heat pipe and heat pump unit (LHP-HP), which was proposed to improve solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, capture additional solar heat, and therefore enhance overall solar energy yield. The evaluation approaches derived from the first-law thermodynamics and the standard/hybrid system performance coefficients (COP/COPPV/T) were developed for the comprehensive assessments. Under the featured weather conditions, the mean electrical, thermal and overall energetic efficiencies of the module were tested around 9.12%, 38.13% and 47.25% respectively. Whilst the COP and COPPV/T values of entire system were measured at about 5.51 and 8.81 averagely. Moreover, a general comparison of this prototype system against the conventional solar/air energy systems was simply discussed.