Hello there, solar enthusiasts!
If you’re seeking to understand more about the intricacies of solar panel systems, or if you’re just climbing aboard the solar energy wagon, this blog post is for you. Today, let’s delve deep into an interesting development in the solar sector; a system that uses surplus energy for efficient thermal storage.
Among the many strong suits of solar energy, the significant surplus electricity generation it provides is both a boon and a challenge for solar companies. This surplus, particularly in the temperate months of spring and autumn, requires innovative strategies and technology for effective usage.
An international team of researchers have risen to this challenge by developing a novel photovoltaic (PV) powered heat pump system. This system uses surplus solar energy to charge up an underground thermal energy storage (UTES) facility, thereby enhancing the heat pump’s activity and providing a balance between electricity generation and consumption.
Let’s briefly explain how it works. During spring and autumn, when heating and cooling needs are lower, the surplus solar power is utilized by the heat pump. In spring, the heat pump cools the UTES, and then this cooling power can be used to lower temperatures inside your home during the hot summer months. Similarly, the heat pump charges the UTES with heating in the autumn, and this heat is then used to keep your house cozy during winter.
Sounds intriguing, right? This could offer you a way to supercharge your solar array for home use! To gauge this new system’s efficacy, the researchers simulated it in a public school building in Seoul, South Korea. The results were genuinely impressive, showing energy savings of up to 14% for power-to-heat operations and up to 39% for power-to-cool operations. Now that’s some astounding power savings that would have any solar company excited!
To simulate, the school’s roof was laden with photovoltaic (PV) panels that powered an air-source water-load (ASWL) heat pump. Two distinct configurations were tested; one used a shallow UTES and the other deployed a deep UTES. Both showed increased savings, but the most significant power saving came from the shallow UTES scenario, yielding up to a whopping 39% power saving!
The takeaway? This innovative solar-related development is a boon for those exploring solar panels for your home. It offers a wonderful solution to managing surplus power, ensuring a balance between power generation and consumption, and harnessing the most from your solar panels.
This breakthrough reveals exciting directions for the future of solar technology and the capacity of home solar arrays. As we continue to push the boundaries of solar know-how, the future indeed looks bright – and sustainable – for solar companies and households alike.
So, until next time, keep soaking in the solar knowledge, and remember; the sun is not just there to give us light, but also energy for our homes, our life, and our future!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/09/13/using-surplus-pv-power-for-seasonal-underground-thermal-storage/
