Thermoeconomic optimization and performance analysis of solar combined heating and power systems: A comparative study

Although solar energy is one of the most abundantly available and inexhaustible forms clean renewable energy, its use suffers from economic barriers mainly linked to intermittence. This article aims at comparing a conventional reference system (national grid gas boiler) four different combined heating power systems, namely photovoltaic panels with solar-assisted heat pump, national thermal panels, together hybrid collector. The study carried out for an individual house 120 m2 located in Chambery, France. optimal designs (number electrical storage capacities) are determined each case using genetic algorithm based on thermoeconomic indicator, i.e. total unit product cost. Furthermore, solutions compared against another case, following additional indicators: self-production, self-consumption, produced by requirement fuel savings. Implementation panel-driven systems without shows lowest costs, positive contribution, especially pump (-41% than reference). Further, wise increase sizes allows improve self-production (by up 30%) saving indexes 3230.3 kWh/y), expense while maintaining production costs lower (0.1836€/kWh). Despite their intermittence, collectors, grid-driven electric boiler as backup, proving be economical competitor boilers (with 11% costs). However, suffer low competitiveness high efficiency cost French −36%), which could compensated when coupled satisfy demand.