IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v341y2025ics0360544225051242.html

Exergy analysis of a solar PV/T heat pump system based on ground-level solar radiation

Author

Listed:
  • Han, Yuhang
  • Feng, Lejun
  • Fu, Zhihao
  • Sui, Jun
  • Feng, Hao
  • Qian, Huijin

Abstract

This study develops an exergy analysis model for a solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) heat pump system and a reference system, based on the exergy of ground-level solar radiation. The model identifies the components with the highest irreversibility and assesses the impact of environmental factors—including solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed—on system performance. Results indicate that the PV/T heat pump system exhibits lower exergy destruction across all components compared to the reference system. In particular, the evaporator achieves a 49.24 % reduction in exergy destruction, marking the most significant improvement. However, the PV/T or PV modules remain the primary sources of irreversibility due to their substantial exergy destruction. Under varying environmental conditions, the PV/T heat pump system consistently outperforms the reference system in both energy efficiency and land-use effectiveness. Notably, this spatial advantage becomes more pronounced under high irradiance. Both lower ambient temperatures and higher condensing temperatures negatively affect both system efficiency and the coefficient of performance (COP). When the ambient temperature drops below 21.78 °C or the condensing temperature exceeds 62.27 °C, the net power generation efficiency and electricity-to-heat ratio become negative, indicating that photovoltaic output is insufficient to meet the compressor's power demand. Wind speed has a comparatively minor effect on system performance. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the optimized design and efficient operation of solar PV/T heat pump systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Han, Yuhang & Feng, Lejun & Fu, Zhihao & Sui, Jun & Feng, Hao & Qian, Huijin, 2025. "Exergy analysis of a solar PV/T heat pump system based on ground-level solar radiation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225051242
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139482
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225051242
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139482?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shahsavar, Amin & Arıcı, Müslüm, 2023. "Energy and exergy analysis and optimization of a novel heating, cooling, and electricity generation system composed of PV/T-heat pipe system and thermal wheel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 394-406.
    2. Nazri, Nurul Syakirah & Fudholi, Ahmad & Mustafa, Wan & Yen, Chan Hoy & Mohammad, Masita & Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman, 2019. "Exergy and improvement potential of hybrid photovoltaic thermal/thermoelectric (PVT/TE) air collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 132-144.
    3. Aslam, Naveed & Yang, Wanping & Saeed, Rabia & Ullah, Fahim, 2024. "Energy transition as a solution for energy security risk: Empirical evidence from BRI countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    4. Zendehboudi, Alireza, 2024. "Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analyses of an air source transcritical CO2 heat pump for simultaneous domestic hot water and space heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    5. Karimi, Fariborz & Xu, Hongtao & Wang, Zhiyun & Chen, Jian & Yang, Mo, 2017. "Experimental study of a concentrated PV/T system using linear Fresnel lens," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 402-412.
    6. Yang, Lidong & Gao, Qiang & Xu, Qiang & Yang, Liwei & Xu, Rongji & Chen, Hongbing & Wang, Huasheng, 2024. "Study on performance of direct-expansion heat pump water heater integrated uninsulated micro-channel PV/T solar collector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    7. Eduardo Rodríguez & José M. Cardemil & Allan R. Starke & Rodrigo Escobar, 2022. "Modelling the Exergy of Solar Radiation: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-26, February.
    8. Xia, Xiaokang & Wei, Wei & Yu, Bendong & Li, Niansi & Ji, Jie, 2024. "Experiment and numerical investigation on a spectral splitting PV/T system for electrical energy and thermal output," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    9. Parida, Bhubaneswari & Iniyan, S. & Goic, Ranko, 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1625-1636, April.
    10. Ellabban, Omar & Abu-Rub, Haitham & Blaabjerg, Frede, 2014. "Renewable energy resources: Current status, future prospects and their enabling technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 748-764.
    11. Ahamed, J.U. & Saidur, R. & Masjuki, H.H., 2011. "A review on exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1593-1600, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lamnatou, Chr. & Vaillon, R. & Parola, S. & Chemisana, D., 2021. "Photovoltaic/thermal systems based on concentrating and non-concentrating technologies: Working fluids at low, medium and high temperatures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    2. Wen, Xin & Ji, Jie & Song, Zhiying, 2021. "Performance comparison of two micro-channel heat pipe LFPV/T systems plus thermoelectric generators with and without aerogel glazing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    3. Kumar, Sushil & Thakur, Robin & Kumar, Sushil & Lee, Daeho & Kumar, Raj, 2024. "Impact of liquid spectrum filter and solar tracker on the overall effectiveness of a photovoltaic thermal system: An experimental investigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    4. B, Prabhu & A, Valan Arasu & P, Gurusamy & A, Amala Mithin Minther Singh & T, Arunkumar, 2024. "Solar photovoltaic cooling using Paraffin phase change material: Comprehensive assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    5. De Angelis, Paolo & Tuninetti, Marta & Bergamasco, Luca & Calianno, Luca & Asinari, Pietro & Laio, Francesco & Fasano, Matteo, 2021. "Data-driven appraisal of renewable energy potentials for sustainable freshwater production in Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    6. Sripadmanabhan Indira, Sridhar & Aravind Vaithilingam, Chockalingam & Narasingamurthi, Kulasekharan & Sivasubramanian, Ramsundar & Chong, Kok-Keong & Saidur, R., 2022. "Mathematical modelling, performance evaluation and exergy analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-solar thermoelectric system integrated with compound parabolic concentrator and parabolic trough concentrator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    7. Sales-Setién, Ester & Peñarrocha-Alós, Ignacio, 2020. "Robust estimation and diagnosis of wind turbine pitch misalignments at a wind farm level," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 1746-1765.
    8. Mehak Shafiq & Muhammad Farooq & Waqas Javed & George Loumakis & Don McGlinchey, 2023. "Thermo-Hydraulic Performance Analysis of Fe 3 O 4 -Water Nanofluid-Based Flat-Plate Solar Collectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Selin Kocaman, Ayse & Abad, Carlos & Troy, Tara J. & Tim Huh, Woonghee & Modi, Vijay, 2016. "A stochastic model for a macroscale hybrid renewable energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 688-703.
    10. Xinxin Liu & Nan Li & Feng Liu & Hailin Mu & Longxi Li & Xiaoyu Liu, 2021. "Optimal Design on Fossil-to-Renewable Energy Transition of Regional Integrated Energy Systems under CO 2 Emission Abatement Control: A Case Study in Dalian, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-25, May.
    11. Francisco José Sepúlveda & María Teresa Miranda & Irene Montero & José Ignacio Arranz & Francisco Javier Lozano & Manuel Matamoros & Paloma Rodríguez, 2019. "Analysis of Potential Use of Linear Fresnel Collector for Direct Steam Generation in Industries of the Southwest of Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-15, October.
    12. Vivar, M. & H, Sharon & Fuentes, M., 2024. "Photovoltaic system adoption in water related technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    13. Mahtta, Richa & Joshi, P.K. & Jindal, Alok Kumar, 2014. "Solar power potential mapping in India using remote sensing inputs and environmental parameters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 255-262.
    14. Zhou, Dengji & Yan, Siyun & Huang, Dawen & Shao, Tiemin & Xiao, Wang & Hao, Jiarui & Wang, Chen & Yu, Tianqi, 2022. "Modeling and simulation of the hydrogen blended gas-electricity integrated energy system and influence analysis of hydrogen blending modes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    15. Tutar, Halit & Eren, Ömer & Er, Hasan & Gonulal, Erdal & Gokdogan, Osman, 2025. "Field-based experimental greenhouse gas emissions and energy use efficiency study of sorghum x sudan grass hybrid growth in a semi-arid region," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    16. Hu, Xincheng & Banks, Jonathan & Wu, Linping & Liu, Wei Victor, 2020. "Numerical modeling of a coaxial borehole heat exchanger to exploit geothermal energy from abandoned petroleum wells in Hinton, Alberta," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 1110-1123.
    17. Kannan, Nadarajah & Vakeesan, Divagar, 2016. "Solar energy for future world: - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1092-1105.
    18. Xiao, Gang & Zheng, Guanghua & Ni, Dong & Li, Qiang & Qiu, Min & Ni, Mingjiang, 2018. "Thermodynamic assessment of solar photon-enhanced thermionic conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 134-145.
    19. Li, Pin & He, Qi & Zhang, Jinsuo & Xia, Qiyuan, 2024. "Analyzing the impact of energy synergy and renewable energy generation on energy security: Empirical evidence from China's Yangtze River Delta region," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    20. Wang, Yacheng & Xia, Guodong & Zhou, Wenbin & Zhao, Shuai & Zhao, Pengsheng, 2024. "Exergetic and environment assessment of linear fresnel concentrating photovoltaic systems integrated with a porous-wall mini-channel heat sink: Outdoor experimental tests," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225051242. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.