Numerical Simulation of the Performance of a Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Heating System

Solar-assisted heat pump heating system (SAHPHS), which combines solar heating and heat pump technology into a combined system and can improve both the solar utilization efficiency and COP of heat pump, is a promising energy utilization technology. In order to discuss the influences of area of solar collector and heat capacity of storage water tank on the operation performance of SAHPHS, a system simulation model was developed based on the unit model. The numerical simulation on the performance of the SAHPHS was performed by the model, and an optimization function was also presented to optimize it. The results obtained and the optimization algorithm presented in this study can provide a preference for the optimization design of SAHPHS.