Competitive Assessment Between Solar Thermal and Photovoltaics for Industrial Process Heat Generation
Abstract
The interest in photovoltaic heating has grown in recent years due to falling technology costs and ease of installation, though mainly in the residential sector. A study was conducted to determine under which conditions photovoltaic heating may become less expensive than solar thermal in low temperature industry (e.g. food and beverage). A broad parametric simulation study was conducted in TRNSYS which determined specific energetic yields for solar thermal and photovoltaic heating systems. A comparative analysis followed suit, conducted in a way to generate an assessment tool which functions for nearly every industrial, climatic, or economic setting. Results indicated that for lower temperature applications, solar thermal will remain a preferred choice in most climates. For higher temperature industrial process heat requirements, photovoltaic heating may already provide a lower cost solution in low and medium solar irradiation climates.
Keywords
Renewable heat, Solar thermal, Photovoltaic, Process heat