PH-79-02-1 -- The Cost-Effective Potential of Optimumly Designed Heat Pumps for the Collection, Storage and Distribution of Solar Energy

Solar assisted and solar augmented heat pump systems have been widely studied and many authors have identified these systems as potential avenues to the cost-effective introduction of solar energy in the energy market. (6-11)

Most heat pump configurations utilizing solar energy can be classed into two configuration types. One, called series, in which the heat pump moves solar energy from the collector or storage to the load. Thus, the heat pump is in series with the flow of energy. The second, called parallel, uses the heat pump as an auxiliary energy source and is used only to supply energy when the
solar system is unable to meet demands.

The potential for the two systems is very different.