SA-12-C032 -- Hybrid Solar Thermal and Ground Source Heat Pump System PDF

This document demonstrates that hybrid ground source heat pump system (GHSP) combined with solar thermal collectors is a feasible choice for space conditioning for heating dominated house. It was shown that the solar thermal energy storage in the ground could reduce a large amount of ground loop heat exchanger (GHX) Length. Combining three solar thermal collectors with total area of 6.81m² [73.3ft²] to the GSHP system will reduce CHX length by 15% (from 222m [728ft] to 188m [617ft]). The system malfunctioning in the cooling season was also detected and options for fixing the problem were presented. Sensitivity analysis was carried out for different cities of Canada and results were demonstrated that Vancouver, with mildest climate compared to other cities, was the best candidate for the proposed solar hybrid GSHP system with 7.64m/m² [2.33ft/ft²] GHX length reduction to solar collector area ratio. Overall system economic viability was also evaluated using a 20-year life-cycle cost analysis. The analysis showed that there is a small economic benefit in comparing to conventional GSHP. The net present value of the proposed hybrid system and conventional GSHP system were estimated to be $44,834 and $41,406 respectively.