Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar energy system

Heating and cooling systems that use hybrid solar energy collectors (combination photovoltaic-thermal) have the potential for considerable energy savings, particularly when the system includes a heat pump. Economic evaluations show that photovoltaic systems are potentially most economical, but results depend critically on future collector costs as well as energy prices. Results are based on a specially developed computer program that predicted the total auxiliary energy required for five different solar heating/cooling systems. Performance calculations for a modeled residence and small office building were made using meteorological data from four geographic locations. Annual system costs were also calculated.