Assessment of Solar Heating and Cooling – Comparison of Best Practice Thermal and PV Driven Systems
Abstract
Assessing the performance of Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) systems, especially cooling systems using solar thermal or PV driving energy, in a common comparable format, is complicated by the numerous, alternative energy sources and design possibilities. A generalized technical and economic assessment methodology was developed and tested in the course of IEA SHC Task 53. At a glance seven best practice plants were analyzed and compared in a comprehensive format. All systems can achieve non-renewable primary energy savings greater than 50%, but none is reaching a cost ratio lower than 1 compared to a reference system. The results might not be representative but show interesting trends. There is almost no difference between solar thermal and PV driven systems. Both technologies can succeed the same magnitude of savings with similar cost ratios. Plants that are achieving or aiming higher primary energy savings turn out to be more expensive. Finally the assessment shows that solar heating and cooling can achieve cost competitiveness with an appropriate design and solar fraction if investment costs can be decreased simultaneously.
Keywords
Assessment and benchmarking, New generation solar heating and cooling, Iea shc task 53