ᐅ Convert solar thermal system for hot water to photovoltaic system?
Created on: 30 May 2023 15:35
H
hanghaus2023
Hello forum members,
I currently have a solar thermal system on the roof that heats water when the sun is shining, designed for six people.
In a few weeks, a photovoltaic system (11.3 kWp) will be installed. The solar thermal system is over 20 years old and will be removed. In the future, the photovoltaic system will also be used for water heating.
A 300-liter (79-gallon) water tank is already in place. It is equipped for the solar thermal system.
My question is: how can the water tank be modified so that the photovoltaic system takes over the function of the solar thermal system?
In my opinion, a controller and an electric heating element are required for this.
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards from hanghaus2023
I currently have a solar thermal system on the roof that heats water when the sun is shining, designed for six people.
In a few weeks, a photovoltaic system (11.3 kWp) will be installed. The solar thermal system is over 20 years old and will be removed. In the future, the photovoltaic system will also be used for water heating.
A 300-liter (79-gallon) water tank is already in place. It is equipped for the solar thermal system.
My question is: how can the water tank be modified so that the photovoltaic system takes over the function of the solar thermal system?
In my opinion, a controller and an electric heating element are required for this.
Thank you very much for your help.
Best regards from hanghaus2023
The usual replacement for solar thermal systems is the electric heating element, not the hot water heat pump. Ultimately, the goal is to continue using solar energy, and an electric heating element is more cost-effective and does not rely on the electricity grid mix.
Of course, economical heat storage is only possible with large buffer tanks, often 800 liters (210 gallons) or more, since you may want to shower or bathe when the sun is not shining. An alternative could be a salt storage system. Battery storage is not considered economical; in that case, an electric vehicle might be a better option if it can feed electricity back bidirectionally.
The peak heat generator remains the gas boiler, which serves not the large buffer tank but rather a 300-liter (80-gallon) storage tank. The entire system just needs to be properly controlled.
Of course, economical heat storage is only possible with large buffer tanks, often 800 liters (210 gallons) or more, since you may want to shower or bathe when the sun is not shining. An alternative could be a salt storage system. Battery storage is not considered economical; in that case, an electric vehicle might be a better option if it can feed electricity back bidirectionally.
The peak heat generator remains the gas boiler, which serves not the large buffer tank but rather a 300-liter (80-gallon) storage tank. The entire system just needs to be properly controlled.
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