Solar panels can technically power virtually any appliance in your home, from your washing machine to your TV. And even better, they can also power your air source heat pump!
Yes, it’s possible to combine solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an air source heat pump to generate both heating and hot water to meet your needs while being kinder to the environment.
But can you power your air source heat pump with solar panels exclusively? Well, that will depend on the size of your solar panels.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as sticking a few solar panels on your roof. The amount of electricity a solar panel generates will largely depend on the size of the solar panel, the efficiency of the solar cells and the amount of peak sunlight in your location.
Solar photovoltaic panels work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity. So the bigger the surface area of the solar panels, the more sunlight they’ll absorb and the more electricity they’ll generate. It also pays to have as many solar panels as you can, especially if you’re hoping to power an air source heat pump.
Solar panel systems are sized in kW, with the measurement referring to the amount of power produced by the panels per peak hour of sunlight. The average solar panel system is around 3-4 kW, which reflects the maximum output produced on a very sunny day. This figure might be less if it’s cloudy or in the early morning or evenings when the sun is not at its peak. A 4kW system will generate around 3,400 kWh of electricity per year.
How many solar panels will I need?
The average solar panels produce around 250 watts, which means you would need to install 4 panels to create a 1 kW system. For a 2kW system, you’d need 8 panels, and for a 3kW you would need 12 panels. You get the jist of it.
An average household (family of 4) would likely require a 3-4kW solar panel system to produce enough electricity to power the home, which equates to 12-16 panels.
But returning to our earlier calculation, an air source heat pump will need 4,000 kWh of electricity to produce 12,000 kWh (heat demand), so you will likely need a larger system of 16+ panels to power your air source heat pump exclusively.
This means that while solar panels should be able to produce most of the electricity you require to power your air source heat pump, they’re unlikely to generate enough electricity to power other home appliances without using electricity from the grid.
The best way to find out how many solar panels you’ll require for your home is to have an assessment carried out by a qualified engineer. They will advise you on how many solar panels you’ll need to power your home and your air source heat pump.
What happens if the solar panels don’t produce enough electricity?
If your solar panels don’t produce enough electricity to power your home or air source heat pump, you will be able to use energy from the grid to meet your demands. Remember that you will pay for any energy you use from the grid. Hence, it’s essential to get a professional evaluation of the number of solar panels to power your air source heat pump.
What are the advantages of using solar panels to power an air source heat pump?
Cost savings
Depending on your current heating source, an air source heat pump could save you up to £1,300 per year on your heating bills. Air source heat pumps tend to be more cost-effective to run than non-renewable alternatives like oil and LPG boilers, and these savings will increase by powering your heat pump with solar panels.
Air source heat pumps are powered by electricity, so you can minimise your heating costs by running them off free solar energy generated from your panels.
Protection against rising energy costs
By powering your air source heat pump with solar panel energy, you protect yourself against rising energy costs. Once you’ve paid off the installation cost of your solar panels, the energy you generate is free, so you won’t have to worry about an increase in gas, oil or electricity at any point.
Reduced reliance on the grid and carbon footprint
By switching to air source heat pumps powered by solar panels, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid supply of electricity and gas. Seeing as the grid is still primarily made of non-renewable energy (and we all know how bad fossil fuels are for the environment), this is a great way to cut your carbon emissions and reduce your carbon footprint.
Post time: Aug-11-2022